Spring insects on the decline after drought

Drought conditions last year have reduced the number of insects in recent months because of the impact on their larvae, conservationists say.

Numbers of flying insects are lower than usual at this time of the year, according to anecdotal evidence from experts and citizen scientists.

Matt Shardlow, the CEO of Buglife, which conducts an annual survey on bug numbers, said: “The drought last year in particular, is a concern. In the southeast, where it was driest for longest, very low numbers are being reported.” Dry weather can leave larvae struggling to survive in baked soils, meaning there are fewer insects around in subsequent months.