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Invertebrate splats on car no.plates. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter KenM
- Start date
Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
Would it be related to the very warm temperatures you had in the UK (during your visit to Shropshire?) Ken? Presumably a lot of insects would have drifted up from the south of Europe ...........
Harry Stottle
Unknown-Known
There are more insects in the South and West away from the worst of the chemical spraying on arable land.
Strontium Dog
Well-known member
I've noticed a few people saying this on social media recently. Hopefully it represents a real boost in insect numbers.
I note with interest that while neonicotinoid pesticides have been banned in the UK since 2018, this is the first year that the government hasn't granted "emergency authorisation" for them to be used. Food for thought.
I note with interest that while neonicotinoid pesticides have been banned in the UK since 2018, this is the first year that the government hasn't granted "emergency authorisation" for them to be used. Food for thought.
I've done 230 miles today down to Hampshire through a lot of rural area on M40 and A34 but only got about 30-40 splats on windscreen and grille, one decent size on the grille all the others small stuff. Nothing like you used to get, only took a couple of minutes to rinse them off.
Andy Lakin
Well-known member
Definite increase for me. It drives me nuts when you put the washers on and just smear the remains all over the windscreen. I remember seeing Starlings picking insects out of radiator grills at the services one time. I was very impressed at this adaptation. Is this a common occurrence?
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
I not only noticed more insect splats here in mainland Europe, but also a definite increase in the number of Barn Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins. In the village here in the Netherlands, we now have a number of breeding Pied Flycatchers, something I haven’t ever noticed since the mid-80s.
KenM
Well-known member
Don’t think Pied Flys have ever been recorded breeding in the South East UK Frank, it would be a major shift here if they did!😮👍
Farnboro John
Well-known member
It used to be every journey when I was young. Hasn't been an issue for years, good thing if its coming back!
John
Frank van Drogen
Not so important
Based on the observation of an increase in insects, I actually discussed with a local birder here while looking at some Garganey. For context my parents live within eye-sight of a canal comprising one of the edges of a relatively large wetland area here in the Netherlands (Weerribben-Wieden National Park - Wikipedia).
Otters were re-introduced in the reserve over 20 years ago, but took quite a while to have a stable and significant presence. According to the gentleman I talked to, otters have not only had a clear effect on the population of insect eating fish but also on ground breeding ducks (including the Garganey we were looking it, that’s how we go to the subject
).
Indeed, a quick and definitely non-comprehensive literature search seems to confirm that otter reintroductions have a profound local effect on insect populations — and a drastic decrease in especially Coots and Great Crested Grebes for the local area where I grew up.
Otters were re-introduced in the reserve over 20 years ago, but took quite a while to have a stable and significant presence. According to the gentleman I talked to, otters have not only had a clear effect on the population of insect eating fish but also on ground breeding ducks (including the Garganey we were looking it, that’s how we go to the subject
).Indeed, a quick and definitely non-comprehensive literature search seems to confirm that otter reintroductions have a profound local effect on insect populations — and a drastic decrease in especially Coots and Great Crested Grebes for the local area where I grew up.
Paul Chapman
Well-known member
Whilst I would love there to suddenly have been an increase, this post almost certainly hit the nail quite clearly on the head.
Be delighted to start changing my tune if the apparent anecdotal trend continues....
All the best
Paul
kb57
Well-known member
I noticed a lot more insect splatter than usual on a recent trip from Newcastle up to Northumberland / southern Scotland - I did wonder if the fact my rental car had the aerodynamic properties of a house brick might've had something to do with it. Would be great if it was related to absence of neonicotinoids this year, although the very dry and warm spring is likely to be a factor too.
Andy Lakin
Well-known member
I was reading an article the other day which discussed the big increase in greenfly/ aphids due to the suitable weather for them. Presumably this would benefit other insects so might just be this year unfortunately.
Andy Lakin
Well-known member
John Nihon
_______________
Bank Holiday weekend, around 500 mile trip Herts to Beds, then up to Yorkshire and around the Dales+ and return trip saw a surprisingly increased amount of splats over the front of the car, wing mirrors and windscreen included. Not seen this number of hits for many years. Maybe the bugs are having a better time these days.
Car due for a service soon so I'll let the garage clear them off 😀
Car due for a service soon so I'll let the garage clear them off 😀
Andy Lakin
Well-known member
An expert the other day mentioned events like these sometimes being cyclical. He said his colleagues were convinced of an increase but there could be many factors involved.
