Flying insect numbers plunge 64% since 2004, UK survey finds

Scientists behind car number plate study say potentially catastrophic' decline must be reversed

The number of insects splattered on vehicle number plates in Britain fell by 64% between 2004 and 2022, according to a survey.

Each summer citizen scientists record the number of insect splats on their number plates on an app after a journey. The latest Bugs Matter report, produced by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, found another drop in 2022 compared with 2021, with the long-term decrease jumping by five percentage points.