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[Article] Driving & Killing (insects)

  • 13-07-2011 6:21pm
    #1
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭


    According to this report, Dutch motorists end up with over 133 billion insects splattered on their vehicles every month, a death-rate that scientists claim has made it harder for some birds to find food:

    Driver insect-killing affects food chain
    AMSTERDAM – Dutch motorists kill about 133 billion insects a month, eliminating important members of the food chain, according to a new study.

    “Many birds such as swallows, who hunt for insects, depend on insect density. If insect numbers are low they inevitably face severe problems finding food for their young,” biologist Arnold van Vliet said. – (Reuters)

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0713/1224300655482.html

    I wonder how many insects get splatted in Ireland every month?


Comments

  • #2
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 64,911 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    I'd estimate 133 billion on the front of my van, based on how annoyed any hand car wash operator gets...


  • #3
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I commit bug genocide whenever I hit the open road.


  • #4
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,293 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    I always noticed far larger numbers of bigger juicier bugs on the front of my car when I lived in Germany and Holland than I ever have here or in the UK for some reason.


  • #5
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    thats because they are better off there than here...obvious.

    Swallows presumably catch high flying insects whereas cars splat low flying ones.. i doubt theres any enviromental disater looming. (paraphrase "let them eat cake")


  • #6
    MrDerp
    Registered Users Posts: 986 ✭✭✭MrDerp


    A little bird ate my grill at 130km/h on the M8 last month. I'd normally try and avoid carnage, but I'm not making any sudden adjustments at that speed. Still, he won't have to go hungry for the dead insects attached to my car now.


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  • #7
    fricatus
    Registered Users Posts: 5,067 ✭✭✭fricatus


    marmurr1916 wrote: »
    ...133 billion insects splattered on their vehicles every month, a death-rate that scientists claim has made it harder for some birds to find food...

    If the birds had any sense at all, they'd just find a car and feast away...


  • #8
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,293 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    fricatus wrote: »
    If the birds had any sense at all, they'd just find a car and feast away...
    They do, I've seen birds, usually corvids, picking away at bug spattered number plates.


  • #9
    Magic Beans
    Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭Magic Beans


    Just bip your horn, the insects will get out of the way.


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