Over the recent years, I have noticed a significant reduction in land-based insects and, more notably, the reduction of flying insects. This has become apparent during highway travel. During the summer, truck windshields and front grills are typically littered with insects. However, over the past summer, rarely was I required to clean my windshield due to the littering of bugs and insects blocking my vision. Additionally, I rarely saw bees and butterflies while spending countless hours outdoors and within the depths of my vegetable garden. I did not encounter one ladybug this entire season. Perhaps even more concerning, I found that the blueberry bushes flowered but were not sufficiently pollinated to produce fruit.
The observation of a reduction in flying insects, including pollinators like bees and butterflies, is a concerning trend that has been noted in various parts of the world. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "windshield phenomenon," is an anecdotal indicator that aligns with scientific studies showing declines in insect populations. A significant factor contributing to this decline is habitat loss due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and deforestation. Pesticide use, climate change, and the spread of diseases and invasive species also play a role. The decline in insect populations can have cascading effects on ecosystems, including reduced pollination services, which can affect food production as noted with the blueberry bushes. Conservation efforts are crucial to address this issue, including creating and preserving diverse habitats, reducing pesticide use, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices.
For further reading on the global decline of insect populations, please refer to the following study: Hallmann, C. A., Sorg, M., Jongejans, E., Siepel, H., Hofland, N., Schwan, H., ... & de Kroon, H. (2017). More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0185809. Link to study
