Monitoring Ireland's Insects 3.29

The National Biodiversity Data Centre currently runs two insect monitoring schemes: the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, established in 2007 with the support of Butterfly Conservation UK and Butterfly Conservation Europe; and the all-Ireland Bumblebee Monitoring Scheme, established in 2011.

Both schemes involve the systematic monitoring of bumblebees and butterflies along a defined route for a known time across the flight season of both insects. Measuring diversity and abundance in this manner allows the accurate estimation of national population changes from year-to-year, highlighting how the Irish landscape is changing and which species need our help to survive those changes.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre provides support and training for anyone wishing to begin to identifying and monitoring these wonderful insects. We will be expanding our monitoring schemes to cover more insect groups, so watch this space....!