Scottish insect numbers have plummeted by 28 per cent over the last 17 years, a new survey has found.
Led by Kent Wildlife Trust and conservation group Buglife, the Bugs Matter survey has found that the overall number of flying insects in the UK has decreased by nearly 60% as it "highlights a worrying trend and the crucial need for insect-focussed conservation research nationwide".
According to Buglife, insects and other invertebrates are vital to maintaining a balanced environment. They are natural pest controllers, crop pollinators, and recycle nutrients into the soil. Without them, Earth would cease to survive.
Buglife CEO Matt Shardlow said: “This vital study suggests that the number of flying insects is declining by an average of 34% per decade, this is terrifying.
"We cannot put off action any longer, for the health and wellbeing of future generations this demands a political and a societal response, it is essential that we halt biodiversity decline – now!”
The citizen science survey is based on the 'windscreen phenomenon' - that people are seeing fewer squashed insects on car windscreens in contrast to decades ago.
In order to properly measure bug matter, a 'splatometer' grid is applied to a clean vehicle licence plate.
Participants then take a photo of the grid after each journey and upload count details via the Bugs Matter app.
Insect numbers can also show where wildlife is recovering, and so surveys like Bugs Matter can be used to measure how the work of conservation organisations are helping nature’s recovery.
Kent Wildlife Trust director Paul Hadaway said: “The results from the Bugs Matter study should shock and concern us all.
"We are seeing declines in insects which reflect the enormous threats and loss of wildlife more broadly across the Country.
"These declines are happening at an alarming rate and without concerted action to address them we face a stark future.”
You can download the Bugs Matter app for iPhone to take part in the next survey here.
To download for android, click here.
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