Big Butterfly Count vs Bugs Matter

Take part in the UK’s annual Big Butterfly Count with this easy to use and informative app. Spend 15 minutes in nature and help butterflies at the same time. All you need to do is identify and count the relevant butterfly and moth species you spot. Then submit your sightings to help take the pulse of nature. Your records help to show how butterflies are faring in the UK. The app features a beautiful ID guide to help you identify and learn about the 21 species that are the focus of this study. You can also view all of your submitted counts and see everyone's records on the map within the app.

The number of insects has been falling at an alarming rate for many years. It's no exaggeration to say that unless something is done to halt the decline, our own future could be at risk. Patterns and trends in insect numbers are nuanced, however, and we still don't have that much information on the relative rate of decline over time, and there are too few studies looking at this problem. The Bugs Matter app is an application that enables you to get involved in this critical biodiversity monitoring. Splatted insects are an unfortunate by-product of our habitual use of vehicles, but also presents us with a prime way of monitoring them. With Bugs Matter you can contribute counts of insects and other ‘bugs’, along with the route of the journey you make in a vehicle. You can also provide details about the vehicle used (needed for data analysis) by entering the registration number. This will provide scientists with important new information that will contribute to conservation, evidence, planning, and education. Anyone with a phone and use of a vehicle can get involved with recording insect counts. It is very easy and quick to submit useful data without specialist knowledge. You do not need to be the driver of the vehicle in which you make a journey. Take action for insects and help us to study this important subject!