The number of native insects has fallen dramatically in recent years. That is why NABU is now calling for insect counts in addition to bird counts.
You've probably heard that home and garden owners are asked to count the birds on their property every year. Now the nature conservation organization NABU is also taking care of insects and is launching the "insect summer". This is intended to sensitize the population to what is crawling and fluttering around them. We will now tell you how insect counting works, which crawling animals you should pay particular attention to and how you can actively participate in the campaign.
Look what's flapping there
Scientists assume that around 33,000 species of insects can be found in Germany alone. The crawling animals are by no means on an upward trend, in the last 30 years the insect population has even declined by three quarters. If we don't look into them closely, some species may be gone before we even notice them. Counting insects is also important for our crops, which depend on pollination by insects.
Census of insects - anyone can participate
With the insect summer, a project has started that wants to draw attention to an endangered species. With the insect summer, the first nationwide campaign of this kind has started. In the period between June 1st and 10th and August 3rd and 12th, 2022, everyone was called upon to observe and count insects. You don't have to have your own garden. You can also go into nature and choose a suitable piece of forest or meadow. Insects can also be observed at ponds, on the banks of the stream or in the fields. Anyone who owns a garden can set up their observation post there and the census of insects can even take place on the balcony at home.
These species deserve special attention
During the count, the participants should pay particular attention to eight native insects:
- Admiral
- Peacock Butterfly
- Common Lacewing
- Steinbummel
- Asian Ladybug
- Grow Hoverfly
- Blood Cicada
- Leather Bug
Admiral
The admiral is a butterfly that you can easily spot. The moths have black wings with an orange border. The wing tips are mottled blue and white. Admirals are migratory butterflies. Similar to migratory birds, they could not survive the winter in our latitudes and therefore have to immigrate to us from the south every year. After laying their eggs on stinging nettles, the immigrant animals die. The offspring hatch in the fall and make their way south in September. The admiral can be observed more frequently in late summer and prefers to visit autumn asters, summer lilac or thistles.
Peacock Butterfly
Peacocks can reach a wingspan of up to 55 millimeters. The moth is characterized by a rust-red coloring. The eyespots, which are located at the tips of the front and rear wings, are considered to be an unmistakable feature. The peacock butterfly can be observed particularly frequently. If you get too close, the moths will fold their wings and rub against each other, making a scraping sound.
Common Lacewing
Common lacewings are also easy to spot. These are recognizable by their small, shiny beady eyes and large transparent wings, which are streaked with green veins.
The beneficial insect was named the first "Insect of the Year" in 1999. Because it feeds on aphids, it is an effective pest controller.
Around 35 species of lacewings are known throughout Germany. During the day you will have a hard time spotting the lacewing. The animals then usually sit on the underside of the leaves with folded wings and only become active when dusk sets in. Adult lacewings respond to ultrasound and, upon receiving appropriate signals, drop to the ground. That way they don't become prey for bats.
Steinbummel
You can recognize the stone bumblebee by its velvety black body and a reddish-brown tip on the abdomen. Bumblebees prefer to nest under walls or piles of stones, which is where they got their name from. The stone bumblebee is one of the hymenoptera and is therefore directly related to bees and ants. Stone bumblebees form communities of up to 300 animals. Honey is only produced for personal use. However, as pollinators of wild and useful plants, the importance of animals should not be underestimated.
Asian Ladybug
Asian ladybugs were once imported to Germany to control pests. Gradually the species has become native here. You can recognize an Asian ladybug by its pronotum. This is yellowish and has a characteristic "M" drawing. The coloring of the wings can range from pale yellow to dark red. This ladybug species can have many points or even lack them completely. This species is also known as the "Harlequin Ladybird" because of its variety of colors.
Tip: The Asian ladybug can eat up to 250 aphids a day.Grow Hoverfly
At first glance, grove hoverflies can be confused with wasps. But the yellow-black coloring is only camouflage to be armed against predators, the flies are completely harmless. The grove hoverfly can move its wings up to 300 times per second and remain in the air. The flight artists can change the flight direction at will and are also able to fly backwards. Hoverflies feed on pollen and nectar and prefer to stay on catkins, winterlings or coltsfoot. When observing, you can tell the difference between males and females. Female hoverflies have clearly separated eyes, while males have no separation and virtually collide.
Blood Cicada
Don't worry, the leafhopper is a completely harmless insect that only sucks on plants. You will encounter the approximately one centimeter large animals particularly often in southern Germany. On meadows, the cicada usually hides in taller grass. The drawing of the cicada is unmistakable. The animals have a striking red coloring on the wings. The animals can be observed more often in late summer. Blood Cicada can jump very well and thus free themselves from many an awkward situation. In dangerous situations, the insect can secrete a foul-smelling but non-toxic liquid from the tips of its feet, which deters predators.
Leather Bug
Have you ever picked blackberries? Then you will probably have encountered the leather bug. Leather bugs are brown in color and appear quite inconspicuous. If you look closely at the surface, the leather-like appearance becomes clear. The body is rather elongated and widens at the end of the body. Get yours in wet meadows or at the edge of waterobservation post, you will encounter the leather bug more often. If a leather bug was at work and tampered with the leaves of perennials or hedges, reddish spots usually remain.
How does the counting work?
Ten days in early summer and in midsummer are scheduled for the nationwide counting campaign. Current dates can be found at Nabu.de. You can see insects almost everywhere. Find a suitable area, this should measure about ten meters in a radius. All insects are counted, regardless of their stage.
Tip: You can also report caterpillars, larvae or grubs if you can identify them with the species in question.
You can also count insects in multiple locations. A separate report is required for each location. If you cannot identify the species with certainty, general information such as ladybird or aphid can also be given.
What do I need for the insect count?
Insects are often difficult to spot and to identify them accurately you must get close to the animals. Therefore, equip yourself with a magnifying glass, binoculars or a close-up camera.
How do I do it?
Is the sun shining and is it dry, warm and relatively windless? Then let's go to the insect count. Because then the ideal conditions prevail. Take up residence in the meadow, in the forest, in the field, by the river, in the garden or on the balcony. All insects that arrive at the observation post within one hour are noted. Also capture any insects crawling under rocks, hiding in tall grass, or perched on tree branches.
Be careful when doing this. Insects are skittish and can be scared away quickly. Beetles, bees, flies and grasshoppers in particular are easy to drive away.
How do I submit my results?
Garden birds have been recorded regularly for more than ten years. The reports were sent in paper form and were correspondingly complicated to record and evaluate. The insect count is carried out exclusively using an online form that NABU has put online.
The "Insect World" app can also help with identification. The app has an automatic detection function. You can photograph the animals and they will be recognized automatically. NABU also offers a free app with portraits of the 122 most well-known insects in our latitudes.