5 ms·
This is anecdotal, but during Singapore's lockdown, one of the many services cut for about two months was curb maintenance. Being deep in the tropics, all gree
by 9nGQluzmnq3M 6y ago
This is anecdotal, but during Singapore's lockdown, one of the many services cut for about two months was curb maintenance. Being deep in the tropics, all green spaces immediately turned into jungles of flowers and weeds, and the butterfly population consequently exploded:
https://mothership.sg/2020/06/grass-cutting-butterflies/ https://mothership.sg/2020/06/grass-cutting-butterflies/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52960623 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52960623
On the other hand, mosquito populations also increased and there were lots of people stuck at home as bait for them, contributing to Singapore's worst dengue outbreak in years:
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/three-more-dengue-deaths-singapore-outbreak-worsens https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/three-more-dengue-deaths-s...
So at least one lesson here is that, if given an opportunity to bounce back, many insect populations can and will.
- Natsu 6y agoWow, Singapore has some really pretty ones. I've always been partial to butterflies with eyespots.
- refurb 6y agoSingapore is also going through a particularly bad Dengue fever season, so there is a ton being done for mosquito control including spraying of insecticides. I have no idea how selective those insecticides are, but one could imagine an impact on other insects.
- CydeWeys 6y agoInsecticides in general are quite broad spectrum. You need to use different tactics entirely if you only want to target mosquitoes.
- joshvm 6y agoIn the UK there have been fairly successful movements to stop councils trimming verges, since it promotes wildflowers and insects. This was pre-covid, but probably it's helped. You should check out Wilding by the serendipitously named Isabella Tree, if you've not already.