Last updated 12:01, Tuesday, 12 August 2008

CUMBRIA’S insect population has plummeted according to a study of Furness’ nature reserves.

Bumblebees, butterflies and moths are all down in numbers.

Roudsea Wood, near Haverthwaite, has recorded a marked decline in moths, particularly the common Large Yellow Underwing.

Moth-friendly traps have recorded 30 to 40 a night, a dramatic reduction from previous tallies of 500.

The results have prompted fears for birds, which rely on insects for food.

Mr Griffiths said: “As I pass through hedgerows and woodland edges there is almost a complete absence of young birds, which by now should be giving constant contact calls for attention.

“As yet I have seen no juvenile robins, no juvenile wrens and only a handful of juvenile blackbirds.

“It is not to say young birds are not out there, only to say if you do see them consider yourself lucky.”

Mr Griffiths said the health of insect populations is a good indicator of the environment’s quality.

He added: “Birds are great indicators of the health of the countryside and if there is no food they simply will not reproduce.”

He believes chemicals used by farmers are partly to blame. Insecticides kill the insects birds rely on to feed their young.

Other factors could be climate change and habitat loss.

Senior reserves manager for Natural England in South Cumbria, Rob Petley-Jones, said the insect population has suffered from two successive wet summers.

He said: “Looking particularly at butterflies and moths, they are good indicators of what’s happening with the whole insect population.

“Moth and butterfly numbers are considerably down this year.

“They’re the building blocks for everything else.

“The birds feed on the insects and they’re suffering because there’s no food for them.

“If we have another year like we’re having now the decline will continue and there will be knock-on effects and we will start to see that in the bird populations.

“The woodland birds will particularly be affected and we won’t be seeing so many blue tits, marsh tits and chiffchaffs.”