Where are the insects this year ?

[Biloute]

From the answers here, I am reassured: insects have not disappeared from the planet... It seems that our little friends from Corrèze, Berkshire and Vendée have only decided to go and spend their holidays in Dordogne and Lot et Garonne . Who would blame them ?

[Bayleaf]

Oh yes, we still have lots in NE Dordogne! Flies, crabflies, horseflies ..... Arggghhh!

But on a positive note, lots of various types of bees, butterflies, beetles, and suchlike. There is a (thankfully!) lack of hornets this year, probably because we have no apples on the trees. There was one solitary hornet living under a rock of our (what I laughingly call) potager. Didn't think solitary hornets were a thing, but judging by a couple of carcasses by her front door, I'd say she's just a grumpy! I think she made herself useful by eating the tiny, unwelcome critters from devouring the few edible things we grow.

Usual amount of birds nesting in the barn - some on their second 'litter' (?) Even found a group of bats temporarily snuggled up in the doorway above the entrance to the barn - all squished in:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EKF1TigmFtg

What does seem less this year are moths. At night, with lights on and windows open, they'd come in or throw themselves against a closed window to get to the light. Haven't seen that at all this year.

We certainly don't get splats of insects on the windscreen while driving anymore.

[niemeyjt]

Perhaps your bats doing so well tells you where the moths have gone?

Lots of hungry tummies there to be filled!

[Biloute]

Finally ! My first wasp of the year while I was drinking my coffee on the terrace. It landed on my leg a bit like a wounded fighter pilot would crash on the deck of an aircraft carrier... By reflex, I pushed it away with my hand: it didn't even think to sting me and it stayed, barely moving on the ground, for a good while before taking off laboriously like an overloaded cargo plane. Obviously not in good shape at all ! An apprentice having left the nest alone, ignoring the wise advice of her colleagues ?

[Bayleaf]

Perhaps your bats doing so well tells you where the moths have gone?

Lots of hungry tummies there to be filled!

Haha! Yes, the clues were all there, weren't they! D'oh!

[MAD87]

We've had bats and birds aplenty but no moths or flutterbys, no wasps (I too am allerrgic) and one bee. As for the rest, I can't say as I haven't ventured into the garden this year - too terrified of falling again - but I'll admit that I haven't heard the sounds of summer.
I'll ask son how his apiculteur friend is doing this year.

[demi]

Had a hornets' nest in my shed.................. but I'd agree not as many insects overall.

"Usual amount of birds nesting in the barn - some on their second 'litter' (?) ", Bayleaf, I think it's a clutch for baby birds.

[exile]

One area where we have seen a drop in insects is with flies. There are still plenty, but much fewer that in previous summers.

I have an explanation though - which of course can be wrong. At the bottom of our garden is a green lane and beyond that pasture. For the first time in my memory the farmer has not turned out cows onto this field yet. So in my thinking at least that is why there are fewer flies.

@Biloute I live in the Ardèche - not in the west

[Wilbro]

@exile and
We are surrounded by fields for cattle and it's always the case that when the herd are in the field opposite us we get a lot more flies. Some can give quite nasty bites.

[Lori]

Some can give quite nasty bites.

Same here. Those horse flies are really dangerous and their bite is extremely painful. Once they have found you, they will zoom all around you, then hover beside you and often stay in one position staring at you, waiting for the opportunity to dive in for a meal. Next to impossible to swat and kill them. I've seen them fly full force into the glass terrace doors and not be phased.