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Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#11

Post by once_inc »

> So in our little thought experiment, (...), our bugs-per-windshield metric would have been cut by two-thirds even if the number of bugs had remained constant. And it hasn’t! It’s fallen precipitously.

This could also be a function of bugs flying less over busy roads, and decreasing in volume at the places where most cars drive. If so, that would explain the precipitous fall in splats. I do not think that this is very far-fetched, since most animals instinctively begin to shun areas when predators are introduced.

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#14

Post by boffinism »

Moru wrote: post #7
np- wrote: post #6

Totally anecdotally: I have to scrub a thick layer of bugs off my motorcycle helmet after every single ride but almost never off the windshield of my car. Though this could also be a function of where I’m going (typically rural back roads on the bike and highway/interstate in the car), but even then I’m still not sure, since there is a decent amount of overlap in local routes

Yes, the modern car windshields have a much flatter angle than old cars but it's not as news worthy. :-)

I mean, it's quite news worthy. The Washington Post dedicated large parts of an article on insect population decline to exploring it.

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#15

Post by actionfromafar »

np- wrote: post #6

Totally anecdotally: I have to scrub a thick layer of bugs off my motorcycle helmet after every single ride but almost never off the windshield of my car. Though this could also be a function of where I’m going (typically rural back roads on the bike and highway/interstate in the car), but even then I’m still not sure, since there is a decent amount of overlap in local routes

The old cars I ride in don't get the bug salad or yore either.

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#16

Post by andirk »

Moru wrote: post #7
np- wrote: post #6

Totally anecdotally: I have to scrub a thick layer of bugs off my motorcycle helmet after every single ride but almost never off the windshield of my car. Though this could also be a function of where I’m going (typically rural back roads on the bike and highway/interstate in the car), but even then I’m still not sure, since there is a decent amount of overlap in local routes

Yes, the modern car windshields have a much flatter angle than old cars but it's not as news worthy. :-)

Implies a VW Bus gets the most bugs? Bart and Sideshow Bob got a lot of bugs on the Wright Brothers plane [0] .

[0] https://youtu.be/RD77nyoEyug?t=112

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#17

Post by vlovich123 »

To everyone replying “aerodynamics”, I’ve had the same car for about 9 years now and the drive along the 5 from Bay Area to LA feels like there’s fewer bugs on my windshield (granted not recorded diligently for scientific purposes but whereas before I’d need to scrub the windshield at least once halfway these days I can drive all the way and still don’t need a wash at the end)

Same goes for the argument that bugs have evolved to migrate away from the roads - the 5 has been a busy thruway for a long time with lots of cars and trucks.

The article is short but says scientists have clear data that populations have plummeted and the larger vehicle consumer trend + more people on the road means that there’s fewer bugs to encounter per windshield on top of that.

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#18

Post by RamblingCTO »

iancmceachern wrote: post #12

Aerodynamics, cars are far more aerodynamic now days.

I can attest that. I drive a Land Rover Defender which, you know, has the aerodynamics of a wall. It's full of bugs after driving on the highway for more than 30 minutes.

Re: Why are there so few dead bugs on windshields these days?

#19

Post by pcl »

Moru wrote: post #7
np- wrote: post #6

Totally anecdotally: I have to scrub a thick layer of bugs off my motorcycle helmet after every single ride but almost never off the windshield of my car. Though this could also be a function of where I’m going (typically rural back roads on the bike and highway/interstate in the car), but even then I’m still not sure, since there is a decent amount of overlap in local routes

Yes, the modern car windshields have a much flatter angle than old cars but it's not as news worthy. :-)

Interestingly enough, the article itself discusses aerodynamics.
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