The Bugs Matter team are now busy with upgrades to the app in time for the 2023 survey season, including a trial of artificial intelligence to automatically detect the number of insect splats on a number plate. Participation in the 2022 Bugs Matter survey in Kent was fantastic: the number of journeys increased from 378 to 556 between 2021 and 2022 and the top two journey recorders in Kent have logged 150 and 124 journeys over the lifetime of the Bugs Matter survey. It is hoped that the survey will continue to grow each year.
Dr Lawrence Ball from Kent Wildlife Trust said: “We are pleased that so many citizen scientists in Kent have signed up to the Bugs Matter app – more than in any other county! The data we’re generating means that for the first time we can get a county-wide estimate of how insect populations are changing over time. The results from these first few years are concerning, but we need more citizen scientists to record more journeys across more of our road network every year, to understand the long-term trends in insect numbers in Kent.”
Andrew Whitehouse from Buglife said: “For the second year running, Bugs Matter has shown potentially catastrophic declines in the abundance of flying insects in Kent and across the UK. It doesn’t have to be this way, but urgent action is required to address the loss of the diversity and abundance of insect life. We need to make more space for wildlife and reconnect the wild parts of our landscapes, and we must free our land and freshwaters from pesticides and other pollutants.”
The 2023 Bugs Matter survey season will begin on 1 June 2023. Those keen to get involved can download the free Bugs Matter app now to sign up for next year’s survey:
Apple Store
Google Play