Bug splat survey shows ‘potentially catastrophic declines’ in insect numbers

The citizen science Bugs Matter project asked members of the public to count the squashed bugs on their number plates.

The situation had worsened since last year, experts said (Nigel Jones/PA)

A project asking people to count squashed bugs on their car number plates suggests flying insects have declined by nearly two-thirds in less than 20 years.

The citizen science Bugs Matter survey, led by conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, found a 64% decline in insect numbers splatted on vehicle number plates between 2004 and 2022 across the UK.

The situation had worsened even since last year, when the survey recorded a nearly 59% drop in numbers since 2004.