It has been estimated that in the region of 80% of all the different animals are insects. There are more than 24,000 insect species in Britain and Ireland alone. They maintain the world as we know it; crucial in food chains, vital for pollinating our crops, disposing of waste, building healthy soils, etc. Some say without insects our environment would collapse into chaos yet others regard insects as pests, they are disliked or swatted away.
But there are increasing number of studies that show insects are declining. This is likely due to a range of factors such as climate change, reduction of habitat, changes in land management, pesticides, excessive use of fertilisers, invasive species, etc.
We all can play a part in halting this decline. The first step is developing an understanding of the insects around us, appreciating how wonderful they are and thinking about ways we can support an environment where insects can thrive.
Amazing Insects Bug Hunt
Explore the wonder of insects in your garden, think about how they live, what they need to eat and stay safe. We have developed a simple bug hunt family activity aimed at gardens as a way to discover what wonderful creatures share your space.
Please take care when looking for insects, gently move leaf litter, soil and rocks. Handle insects carefully, and gently replace any disturbed areas.
More information about how you can help insects, identify them and get involved with conservation efforts can be found using the following links:
