Interactive initiative "Insect summer" - Insects deserve a tally: Spotlight on the fire bug
The firebug ant is a distinctive insect with its red-black coloring, playing a vital role in maintaining pest control in gardens. Along with various other insects that inhabit gardens, forests, or meadows, the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and the Bavarian Nature Conservation Association LBV are eager to determine the numbers of these and other insects this year. To achieve this, they're inviting nature enthusiasts to monitor the insect population from May 31 to June 9, with the focus on the firebug ant.
The collaborative project, titled "Insect Summer," aims to educate people about the crucial role insects play in our ecosystems and the potential dangers they face. NABU's managing director, Leif Miller, emphasized the significance of understanding insects' impact on our world. Additionally, the initiative is expected to offer insights into the progression of beetles, bumblebees, bees, and butterflies in the country. Precisely, it's not concerned with exact population counts but rather identifying trends – for example, how hornets and butterflies fared last year, with the former rising in numbers and the latter declining.
Germany is home to over 30,000 different insect species, the LBV states. Research has indicated that their populations have experienced a drastic decrease, attributed to factors such as pesticide usage and habitat loss. For the environment, fire ants hold great importance: they pollinate plants and serve as a food source for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.
To take part in the initiative, individuals should opt for a sunny and serene day within the designated timeframe. For sixty minutes, they must tally the number of insects within a roughly ten-meter radius. Capturing these observations can be done online or through an app.
A second counting period will unfold from August 2 to 11, intended for observing insects more effectively during different stages of the summer.
Read also:
- Tough return to normality in snow and ice
- Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls
- Trial against BND employee from mid-December
- Xhaka leads Leverkusen to triumph in cup tournament, scoring two goals.
Source:
