Provisional data from the 2024 Big Butterfly Count suggests our butterflies have had one of their worst years on record after a wet spring and summer, writes our Trustee, Adrian Podmore. The cool and rainy weather — this summer in the UK was the coolest since 2015 — is likely to be responsible for a general dearth of buzzing insects this summer, particularly wasps, which, although demonised, are vital to healthy ecosystems.

This crash follows a longer trend in the decline of insect numbers. Earlier this year, Buglife’s ‘Bugs Matter’ citizen science survey revealed that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 78% since 2004.

Insects are critical to properly functioning ecosystems. They pollinate crops, provide natural pest control, decompose waste and recycle nutrients and underpin the food chains that support birds, mammals and other wildlife. Habitat loss and damage, pesticide use, pollution and climate change all contribute to the decline — so what can we do to help?

Early autumn is the perfect time to build a bug hotel. Firstly, there are all sorts of natural materials to use, such as dry leaves, twigs, hollow stems, dead grass, pine cones and bits of bark. Secondly, your accommodation will then be ready for its new guests, such as ladybirds, bees, woodlice and spiders that will all be looking for a snug place to hibernate in before winter begins. Half a dozen pallets stacked on top of each and filled accordingly make an impressive hotel, but even plastic bottles or flower pots filled with short lengths of bamboo and twigs can work too.

If you want to know more about insects and how to help them, then please do come and visit our Autumn Fayre on Saturday Oct 19th. Entry is free and we will have plenty of entertainment, enlightenment, food and drinks!