Thousands join epic mission to measure the health of insect populations across the UK and Ireland - Buglife
They’re armed with smartphones, cleaning cloths, and an unwavering dedication to science – and they’re making a real difference. Since May, an army of citizen scientists has been embarking on a unique mission: counting bug splats on car number plates to help monitor the health of the UK and republic of Ireland’s insect populations.
The Bugs Matter survey, an annual citizen science project from Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, has captured the imagination of nature lovers nationwide. Using the simple but ingenious method of monitoring insect splats on vehicle number plates, the project provides crucial data about insect abundance across the countries.
The 2025 numbers so far tell an impressive story of public engagement:
- 8,581 journeys logged covering 243,597 miles;
- 40,837 bug splats meticulously counted and recorded;
- Participants spanning from the Scottish Highlands to Cornwall’s coast;
- Top Bugs Matter citizen scientists have logged an incredible 377, 310 and 288 journeys each.
“These insects might be small, but their role in our ecosystem is enormous,” explains Buglife’s Paul Hetherington (Director of Fundraising and Communications). “By joining thousands of other citizen scientists, you’re not just counting bugs – you’re helping to build the scientific foundation for protecting the creatures that pollinate our crops, decompose waste, and keep our natural world functioning.”
The South East of England has emerged as the current champion of bug counting, with participants there logging 2970 journeys, more than anywhere else. But with East of England (1,282 journeys) and the South West (825 journeys) hot on their heels, the final weeks promise an exciting race to the finish line – but please do not make journeys just for the sake of counting bug splats
The beauty of Bugs Matter lies in its simplicity. Download the free app, clean your number plate before a journey, drive as normal, then count and photograph the insect splats on your number plate. It is citizen science that anyone can do – no PhD required!