What is the windscreen phenomenon?

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What is the windscreen phenomenon?
Thanks for asking. If you regularly use your car for long trips, you're probably accustomed to seeing squashed flies, wasps and gnats on your windscreen from time to time. That's totally normal, but in recent years it's become a much rarer sight for drivers, and the significance is greater than you might first think. Isn't not having to scrape dead insects off the windscreen a good thing? Well, what we're really seeing is the gradual disappearance of insects from our planet, demonstrated by the decreasing number of bugs that hit our windscreens. This is referred to as the windscreen phenomenon, and may be a cause for concern as many scientists acknowledge. It was first reported in the British press in the early 2000s, with The Guardian calling it a worrying sign. But only in 2016 did researcher John Acorn dedicate an article to the windscreen phenomenon in the journal American Entomologist, under the title The Windshield Anecdote. Further coverage would follow in the mainstream press.
How can we be so sure that insects are disappearing? Could it just be an impression? In fact, a study carried out in Denmark from 1997 to 2017 looked at the number of insects on cars using two sections of road in particular. By adjusting the results for variables such as temperature, time, date, and wind speed, researchers found an 80% drop in the insect population. Of course, you could say that's just one study in one specific location. But other evidence from elsewhere also backs up the hypothesis behind the windscreen phenomenon. The University of Munich carried out a study on 2700 species on more than 300 sites, and found that we lost nearly a third of insect species between 2008 and 2017
And Australian scientists have also carried out studies over the past 40 years, and found that 40% of insect species are in decline. Over the years, many scientists have reached a similar conclusion. The global insect population is clearly diminishing. What's causing this decrease in insect population, then? One of the largest causes is intensive agriculture, which modifies the natural habitat of insects. The use of pesticides and aggressive chemical agents threatens insect ecosystems and harms the population. Other significant causes include climate change and urbanization. And we should be wary of the impact that this could have on the whole food chain. As the insect population decreases, animals that eat bugs to survive face a shortage, and could starve to death. The best way to combat the reducing number of insects is to steer away from using harmful pesticides and chemicals, and rethink how we approach agriculture. Ultimately, the windscreen phenomenon is opening our eyes to the threatening realities of a changing ecosystem.
There you have it.
Now you know what the windscreen phenomenon is. In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions, and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts, and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.