Insect numbers in Britain down 60% in just 17 years: Shocked scientists

Why are we experiencing the sixth mass extinction?Male He insects are among the main victims. according to a new survey conducted in United KingdomIn fact, between 2004 and 2021 about . had fallen 60 percent in the number of flying insects; It’s a simply dramatic, shocking fact that deserves to be revealed on the national news, but since we’re dealing with living beings we often overlook—when we don’t mercilessly eliminate them—such a big problem. Risks silence. Yet insects play an important role in keeping these ecosystemsas well as inpollination Plants of commercial interest. A world without insects is simply impossible and unacceptable. Without these small animals, a catastrophic chain reaction would begin, capable of collapsing the ecological balance and with their Biodiversity, This is why we must consider these percentages and act promptly, resolutely to avoid further and irreparable harm.

It was a research team led by scientists from the Buglyph project, who worked closely with colleagues in Kent, that determined that flying insects in the UK declined by 60 percent in just 17 years between 2004 and 2021. The Wildlife Trust of Maidstone and the Diocese of Oxford. participation of the so-calledcitizen scientist“, which collected the data under survey. The researchers, coordinated by Buglyph Association entomologist Dr. Matt Shardlow, actually came to their conclusion after asking study participants to collect information about insects that had been crushed . license plates, We all remember how I was years ago windscreen And while the bumpers of our cars were filled with unfortunate winged victims during travel, we’ve seen less and less for a few years now. For the new analysis, scientists asked thousands of people to note down the number of insects crushed on license plates in 2021 and compared it to a similar experiment conducted in 2004. As indicated, the collapse was statistically significant.

In fact, between 2004 and 2021, the number of flying insects found on car license plates declined overall. 58.5 percent, The worst was recorded in England, in which – 65 percent; It is followed by Wales – with 55 percent and Scotland – with 28 percent. Scientists do not know the reason for these differences, yet it is clear that in Scotlandpollutionuse of pesticidesThe the destruction , Fragmentation Of natural habitatsAle ‘intensive farming and the effects of Climate change – All factors involved in the decline of insect populations – are far less prevalent in the UK than elsewhere. “This landmark study shows that the number of flying insects is declining by an average of 34 percent every decade – that’s terrifying,” he told the Guardian Dr Shardlow. “We cannot postpone action now, it requires a political and social response for the health and well-being of future generations. Now it is necessary to stop the degradation of biodiversity, ”commented the scientist. “The results should shock and worry all of us. We are seeing a decline in insects reflecting the massive threats and loss of wildlife across the country. We need action now for all of our wildlife, creating larger areas of habitat, providing corridors through the landscape for wildlife, and allowing the wilderness to recover,” echoed Dr. Paul Hadaway of Kent. Wildlife Trust.

Lady of the Scarlet Dragonfly. credit: Andrea Santini

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However, the horrifying finding of the new study comes as no surprise. In fact, there is a lot of research that has found similar results. A a recent study For example, carried out in Germany, it was found that the abundance of insects decreased in some areas. 78 percent between 2008 and 2017, while the Danish firm “There has been a parallel decline in the abundance of insects and insectivores in Denmark over 22 years.“It has been found that between 1997 and 2017 there has been a decline in the number of insects in rural areas of Denmark.80 percent, According to another survey it is believed that more than 40 percent of insect species It will be extinct in the coming decades, These are catastrophic consequences that prompt us to act immediately and resolutely, if we do not want to see a sudden decline in biodiversity with catastrophic consequences for humanity as well. details of new british research Published on Buglife Portal.