What is the Met Office's role in the insect study?

The Met Office's network of 15 weather surveillance radars provided the data that scientists used to track insect populations across the UK.

How have climate change and light pollution impacted nocturnal insects in the UK?

The study found that nocturnal insects, such as moths, have seen an overall decline in the past four years, especially in northern regions. Experts believe that factors like climate change making the environment too warm and dry, as well as increasing artificial light at night, are likely contributing to this trend.

What are the implications of the insect population changes observed in the study?

The decline in nocturnal insects, which play crucial roles in ecosystems and food webs, could have significant consequences for the environment. The researchers emphasize that this study is an important step in understanding where to focus conservation efforts to protect these vital components of the natural world.

Home / Environment / Radar Reveals Alarming Decline in Nocturnal Insects Across UK

Radar Reveals Alarming Decline in Nocturnal Insects Across UK

27 Oct

•

Summary

Radar data tracks trillions of insects in UK skies
Nighttime insect numbers declining, especially in northern regions
Artificial light and climate change likely contributing factors

Radar Reveals Alarming Decline in Nocturnal Insects Across UK

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have leveraged Met Office radar data to track insect populations across the UK for the first time. The analysis, conducted between 2014 and 2021, has uncovered a troubling trend – while daytime insect numbers remained relatively stable or even increased in southern regions, nighttime-airborne insects have seen an overall decline, particularly in the far north.

This is one of the first studies to highlight the divergent impacts on day- and night-flying insects, providing crucial insights into where conservation efforts should be focused. The researchers repurposed data from the UK's network of 15 weather surveillance radars, which scan the sky hundreds of times a day, to determine the location, number, and size of insects in the air.

Their findings reveal an average of 11.2 trillion insects flying between 500 and 700 meters above the ground during the day, and just over 5 trillion at night. Insect abundance was higher in areas with woodlands, grasslands, and even urban environments, but dropped in intensively farmed regions and where artificial lighting was prevalent.