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‘Alarming’ bug splat decline on UK cars raises fears for flying insect numbers (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The long-term decline in the number of flying insects being splattered on cars after a journey is well recognised by older drivers. But the latest survey has revealed that the number of insects found on vehicle number plates has plummeted by 63% since 2021.

An analysis of records from more than 25,000 journeys across Britain since 2021 reveals an alarming apparent drop in flying insect abundance, although the rate of decrease slowed in 2024.

Bug splats on the numberplates of citizen scientists using the Bugs Matter app for the Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife survey declined 8% from 2023 to 2024, after sharper drops of 44% in 2023 and 28% in 2022.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago

I would guess that's why counting bugs on the numberplate is mentioned, I think that's basically stayed the same for decades