A new survey has found a worrying and sad decline in UK insects.
The survey was created by Buglife and the Kent Wildlife Trust. They have found that there has been a massive decline in flying insects in the UK.
The decline in insects in the UK has seen a dramatic fall in flying insects in less than two decades. The survey found that UK insects have declined by almost 60% in just 17 years, which is a very worrying decline.
The scientists have discovered that there has been a massive decline in the insect population between 2004 and 2021.
They have been able to study the flying insect population over the years by collecting data on how many flying insects have been found on car number plates, this has helped them to recognize a decline in flying insects in the UK.
Sadly, the decline in insects has happened in all of the UK.
England, Scotland and Wales have all seen a decline in insects (no data has been given on Northern Ireland as there wasn't enough information to draw any conclusions about the insect population there).
England has recorded the biggest decline in insects in the UK; with there being a massive 65% decline in the insect population in England.
In Wales, there was also a big decline in insects, as there has been a 55% decline in the insect population in Wales.
Scotland has seen the lowest decline in insects in the UK, however, it has still seen a big decline there too, with there being a 28% decline in insects in Scotland.
What this shows is that all parts of the UK have and are seeing a decline in insects: England, Wales and Scotland are all having worrying declines in insects.
What Can You Do To Help?
With nature in the UK declining, you can help stop and reverse the decline.
There are some ways that you can help insects at home. One way you can help insects at home is by creating a wildlife-friendly garden, to do this, let wildflowers grow in your garden, plant flowers for insects like butterflies and bees to pollinate, have a bug hotel in your garden, and, don't use harmful chemicals.
These harmful chemicals include - weedkillers, pesticides and slug pellets.
By creating wildlife-friendly gardens, we can help insects and other animals, there are millions of gardens across the UK, if we all made our gardens wildlife-friendly then it would have a massive positive impact on nature.
There are many tips on our website to help you in creating a wildlife-friendly garden. We can all create a better world for animals.
If you want to read more about the report, you can find it - here.
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