Major Decline in Bug Splatter on Vehicles Raises Fears Over Disappearing UK Insects: Study

Many drivers may understand feeling sad or frustrated over bugs splattered across the front of the car from regular use. In just a short trip to work and back or to run errands, your car could have countless tiny splatters across the windshield, hood and front bumper. But based on a new report in the UK, a decline in bug splatter on vehicles could be a troubling sign of rapidly declining insect populations.

The report is not the first to consider the so-called “windshield phenomenon” or “windshield anecdote,” a term coined by Canadian entomologist John Acorn in 2016. Acorn noted the experience of people driving along their regular routes, yet noticing fewer bug splatters than usual.

The latest 2024 Bugs Matter report, which tapped citizen science survey data from nature conservation charity Buglife, confirmed that this phenomenon had numbers to back it. According to the report, the number of bug splatters on vehicle license plates in the UK has declined 63% since 2021.

The 2024 Bugs Matter citizen science survey results are in, and they paint a concerning picture. Join the fight starting tomorrow, May 1 and download the free mobile app and contribute to our understanding of insect populations.