Citizen scientists across the UK buzzed into action for Bugs Matter this summer
The end of summer saw the conclusion of this year’s national insect survey, Bugs Matter, on 30 September.
Where have all the insects gone? Conservationists’ call to show that Bugs Matter
As the summer holidays begin, the Bugs Matter 2024 survey, led by Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust, is calling on citizen scientists across the UK to participate in this crucial insect population study.
Bugs Matter Citizen Science survey shows further falls in Kent insect numbers
The troubling falls in insect numbers in Kent has been highlighted once again by the 2023 Bugs Matter citizen science survey published today. The new report reveals that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 89% since 2004.
The ‘Great British Bug off’: Citizen scientists invited to take part in August challenge and win prizes!
Since June, thousands of dedicated citizen scientists have contributed their time and effort to Bugs Matter – a national citizen science survey from Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife which uses insect splats on number plates as an indicator of insect abundance to better understand how our invertebrate populations are faring.
Virtual ‘splatometer’ makes it even easier for citizen scientists to contribute to Bugs Matter survey in Kent
Conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife have launched the Bugs Matter 2023 Survey, introducing a new virtual ‘splatometer’ to measure insect splats on number plates as a measure of insect abundance. This ground-breaking initiative aims to measure the alarming decline in insect numbers repeatedly reported across the UK and the globe.
Citizen science programme suggests dramatic decline in Kent insect numbers, as UK Government approve the use of lethal pesticides
Conservationists have described the outlook in Kent as "alarming", with the county's reduction in insect numbers higher than the national average.
Further insect number declines in 2022 – a long-term trend or the result of record summer temperatures?
The Bugs Matter Citizen Science Survey, led by conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, found a 64% decline in insect numbers sampled on vehicle number plates between 2004 and 2022 across the UK, highlighting the urgent need for more, large-scale research on insects, and action to reverse declines in their abundance.
Citizen Scientists across the UK demonstrate that “Bugs Matter” this summer
The end of the school summer holidays saw the conclusion of this year’s national insect survey, Bugs Matter, on 31 August. Led by conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, the annual call to collaborate with citizen scientists across the UK generates crucial data regarding how national insect numbers are faring. Bugs Matter, based on the “windscreen phenomenon”, is one of the UK’s few long-term citizen science surveys of flying insect abundance, generating important data.