Where have all the insects gone ?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 11 Sep, 2012 2:14 pm

simong wrote: We had a devil's coachman in the house the other night, haven't seen one of them around here before. Think the dog must have brought it in. The wet weather isn't good for insects in general though. Talking of beetles there does not seem to be anything like the numbers I used to see when out walking. Even caterpillars are becoming uncommon. Ladybirds used to be common but (at least where I've been in recent years) are rarely seen now. Earthworm numbers are very much reduced, such that after wet weather when they would be seen in numbers on the surface they are now rarely seen. Mind you, judged by the number of birds around I suspect predation of earthworms and insects may be a significant cause in the fall in numbers seen.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Tue 11 Sep, 2012 3:18 pm

Leodian wrote: simong wrote: We had a devil's coachman in the house the other night, haven't seen one of them around here before. Think the dog must have brought it in. The wet weather isn't good for insects in general though. Talking of beetles there does not seem to be anything like the numbers I used to see when out walking. Even caterpillars are becoming uncommon. Ladybirds used to be common but (at least where I've been in recent years) are rarely seen now. Earthworm numbers are very much reduced, such that after wet weather when they would be seen in numbers on the surface they are now rarely seen. Mind you, judged by the number of birds around I suspect predation of earthworms and insects may be a significant cause in the fall in numbers seen. Quite,Leoplenty of slugs 'n snails though these warmish,damp evenings/early mornings....cause havoc when they get to window level!