Invertebrates

Every year we sample the invertebrates in approximately 100 cereal fields and record changes in abundance.

Many pollinating insects have declined in abundance in recent decades. This could have ecological effects on other wildlife such as fruit-eating birds if there are fewer hedgerow fruits.

Many different species of invertebrates contribute to the control of crop pests, and we have conducted studies looking at their effectiveness and how to encourage them, starting off with beetle banks in the 1980s.