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https://news.sky.com/story/bug-spla...g-drop-in-number-of-insects-squashed-on-cars-
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, and now has less than half the plant, animal and fungal life it once had.
2:43
Play Video - Using insects to make protein
Using insects to make protein
To take part in the scheme, drivers had to clean their vehicle number plates before making an essential journey, record the route on their phones, and afterwards count the insects squashed on it using a supplied "splatometer grid".
The survey analysed 6,637 journeys last year, and found the sharpest fall in England of 83% since 2004.
Wales saw a 79% decrease and Scotland a 76% drop over the same period, while Northern Ireland - where only a small sample was taken - saw a 54% decline between 2021 and 2023.
Dr Lawrence Ball, from Kent Wildlife Trust, said: "These results are extremely concerning, particularly if insect splats serve as an accurate measure of insect populations.
"This is a red flag for the state of nature in the UK that shouldn't be ignored.
"A decrease in the number of insects sampled of more than 75% in less than two decades is really alarming, and we're seeing fewer insects being sampled every year."
Andrew Whitehouse, from Buglife, said: "The latest Bugs Matter data suggests that the abundance of flying insects in our countryside has dramatically fallen.
"The consequences are potentially far-reaching, not only impacting the health of the natural world, but affecting so many of the free services that nature provides for us."
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, and now has less than half the plant, animal and fungal life it once had.
Play Video - Using insects to make protein
Using insects to make protein
To take part in the scheme, drivers had to clean their vehicle number plates before making an essential journey, record the route on their phones, and afterwards count the insects squashed on it using a supplied "splatometer grid".
The survey analysed 6,637 journeys last year, and found the sharpest fall in England of 83% since 2004.
Wales saw a 79% decrease and Scotland a 76% drop over the same period, while Northern Ireland - where only a small sample was taken - saw a 54% decline between 2021 and 2023.
Dr Lawrence Ball, from Kent Wildlife Trust, said: "These results are extremely concerning, particularly if insect splats serve as an accurate measure of insect populations.
"This is a red flag for the state of nature in the UK that shouldn't be ignored.
"A decrease in the number of insects sampled of more than 75% in less than two decades is really alarming, and we're seeing fewer insects being sampled every year."
Andrew Whitehouse, from Buglife, said: "The latest Bugs Matter data suggests that the abundance of flying insects in our countryside has dramatically fallen.
"The consequences are potentially far-reaching, not only impacting the health of the natural world, but affecting so many of the free services that nature provides for us."
