Concerns over declining insect numbers

Tina Bessell has noticed a drop in the number of pollinating insects at her lavender farm

A conservation charity has said it has seen a drop in the number of insects this summer and warned it could be part of an overall insect decline.

Andrew Whitehouse, from charity Buglife, said insect populations "do fluctuate naturally" and the cool spring and wet winter may have had an impact on numbers.

However he added there is a "decline over a longer time" and it is a "real worry".

Tina Bessell, from Cornish Lavender Farm in Perranporth, said she had also noticed a drop in the "sheer volume of insects" this year.

A lavender farmer said she had noticed a decline in numbers

Ms Bessell said the lavender field would normally be "teeming with all sorts of bees, different bugs, butterflies, dragonflies."

She added: "Normally the field would be buzzing, it just hums. We haven't had that or on a few very early mornings but in general the sheer volume of insects."

Buglife's Bugs Matter survey found the number of insects squashed on car number plates had decreased by 78% over the last 20 years.

Mr Whitehouse said: "Insect populations do fluctuate naturally due to things like the weather and we have had a cool Spring which may have had an impact but we're also seeing a decline over a longer time and that's a real worry."