Family nature event makes bugs count

Do you know your leaf hoppers from your devil’s coach horse? Come along and get up close to nature and meet the city’s minibeasts at a family fun day this Saturday.

The Bugs Count event is part of a national scientific survey, which is investigating bug and invertebrate populations, and how they are adapting to more urban environments.

It is being run by the Open Air Laboratories project (OPAL), a national group engaging communities with the natural world, whose South-West project is led by the School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences at Plymouth University.

It’s the first nationwide study looking at the populations of a broad range of invertebrate groups, which the organisers say are vital to life on earth, as OPAL Community Scientist Alison Smith explains: “Many species are in decline, which could have major consequences for our environment and people. They play a huge role in the food chain, pollinating plants, breaking down waste and providing nutrients to the soil.”

The organisers hope people will be able to see the huge diversity that can be found in our city’s green spaces and by involving the public, they hope to be able to collect much larger amounts of data than would otherwise be possible.

Alison added: “We will be looking at bugs, beetles and other minibeasts, which are much easier to find and watch than other wildlife, so it is a great way to get into nature.”

The survey involves spending 15 minutes looking for as many bugs as you can find, and different habitat types, such as plants, bare soil/short grass and on human-made hard surfaces.

Anyone can take part and the survey can be done anywhere from the middle of the countryside, to an inner-city garden or balcony.

This event takes place in the West Hoe Park on Saturday 17th September from 11am-4pm to coincide with the America’s Cup festivities.

ENDS