Mixed. There are conflicting views on Neonicotinoids. Varoa mite is a huge problem, we're going to euthenase millions of bees in NSW because of an outbreak and the almond harvest in particular is now at risk.
The anecdotes about "bugs on the windscreen and the bonnet" driving around really resonate to me. There are far, far less casual bug splatters per car these days, and I cannot but think this ties back to a reduction in small insectivore populations too: we killed the bugs, the birds and lizards which depend on them are dying too.
Cycling in scotland in the 70s I could come home covered in black dots. I don't know if the midge problem is as big or not these days. I know out beyond the ranges in Australia, in the bush, its still hand flapping to keep the buggers out of your face but closer to the towns, the immediate rural areas around cities, I sense less insects overall.
The anecdotes about "bugs on the windscreen and the bonnet" driving around really resonate to me. There are far, far less casual bug splatters per car these days, and I cannot but think this ties back to a reduction in small insectivore populations too: we killed the bugs, the birds and lizards which depend on them are dying too.
Cycling in scotland in the 70s I could come home covered in black dots. I don't know if the midge problem is as big or not these days. I know out beyond the ranges in Australia, in the bush, its still hand flapping to keep the buggers out of your face but closer to the towns, the immediate rural areas around cities, I sense less insects overall.