Bugged by a lack of flies
THERE was an interesting conversation in the pub this week where a friend of mine was concerned about the lack of insects spattered on his windscreen.
I noted two things about this. One that it was February and, despite the warmer weather, there weren’t that many insects flying around.
And, secondly, surely he would have been happy not having dead bodies to wipe off his windows and lights?
Actually, this is an interesting conversation which has been going on for the past two summers. Is the fact that fewer insects are being bashed on our windscreens down to the new, aerodynamic designs of our cars? Is it that flies, gnats, moths and wasps are getting more streetwise, and can dodge our speedy vehicles?
Unfortunately, the answer is probably that there are fewer flying bugs around. Recent figures from experts showed a fall of more than three quarters of flying insects on 100 nature reserves in Germany.
The conservation sector has pointed the finger at intensive agriculture and the use of pesticides as being the reason behind the decline. The main focus has been on bees because they are so loved.
Losing bees would be a disaster for mankind. They are a great pollinator but so are many less popular insects, like wasps. Thirty per cent of our food depends on pollination.
Then there are ‘true flies,’ with more than 100,000 species, which feed on liquids like nectar and, wait for it, blood. There are dung flies, soldier flies, dagger flies and thick-headed flies.
I believe I photographed a snipe fly at Moston Fairway, in Manchester, recently. I say ‘I believe’ because identifying flies from the hundreds of thousands of possibilities is a skill that I do not possess. If I say the picture accompanying this story is a snipe fly and it isn’t then I will be tormented by experts for years to come. I would appreciate any advice on this picture.
Anyway the snipe fly is a long-legged predator which can be seen on fence posts and plants watching for passing prey – smaller insects in flight. They take them back to their lookout posts to eat.
Of course, if these flies are dying out that will have a knock-on effect for many species, like larger insects and birds.
The Wildlife Trusts are working with farmers and land owners to create more wildflower meadows and our My Wild City campaign is stressing the importance of wild areas in your garden.
And how can we assess if our campaigns are a success? By looking at the dead flies on our windscreens.
To become a member of The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust, call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.