Bugs Matter 2026: Popular UK Insect Survey crosses the Channel - Buglife

Citizen Science Month launch marks start of biggest ever survey season – now including France for the first time!

The UK’s popular insect citizen science survey is back – bigger, earlier and bolder than ever. Bugs Matter the bug-splat-counting survey, organised by Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust, launches on Wednesday 1 April and runs through to Wednesday 30 September. That’s a full month earlier than previous years, timed to coincide with Citizen Science Month and to capture precious early-season data.

In 2026 Bugs Matter continues its international journey. For the first time, the survey expands into France – joining the UK and the Republic of Ireland in what is becoming a cross-continental effort to understand the health of our flying insect populations. Because, as nature knows and we’re learning, biodiversity knows no borders.

April launch is no April Fools

April is Citizen Science Month globally, making it the perfect moment for thousands of people across the UK and beyond to pick up their phones, clean their number plates, and get involved. The earlier start also gives the survey a longer window to gather data across a broader range of seasonal conditions — crucial for building a more complete picture of insect populations.

The Bugs Matter survey – which works by counting insect ‘splats’ on vehicle number plates after journeys – has already recorded a staggering 59% decline in flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates between 2021 and 2025. With analysis of records from more than 25,000 journeys showing an alarming annual average decline in bug splats of 19% over the same period.

Every extra journey recorded in 2026 will help scientists better understand whether that trend is continuing or changing.