4 ms·

I've read much of this is improved aerodynamics of cars that prevents the collisions.

by galangalalgol 4y ago

lamontcg 4y ago
Looking at the massive front grill of a modern truck or SUV I very much doubt this.
- dylan604 4y ago
  what does aerodynamics of cars have to do with modern truck or SUV?
  - galangalalgol 4y ago
    And actually those grills are deceptively well tuned. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-ford-f-150-is-most-aerodynamic-f-series-ever/ https://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-ford-f-150-is-most-aero...
  - Dudeman112 4y ago
    Non aerodynamic vehicles would have bugs squashed in them if aerodynamics was the main reason for lack of bugs
frereubu 4y ago
You may be partially right, but IIRC one of the studies which found a significant decrease was specifically taking bug samples from number plates rather than windscreens because number plates have been the same shape and in the same orientation for years.
fiftyfifty 4y ago
It's still an anecdote, but I've been driving the same truck for 15 years now. It definitely feels like I don't have to clean my windshield nearly as often as I used to in the summers.
CalRobert 4y ago
Studies using the number plates, or old cars, have shown this is not the cause. Not to mention https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon "The research also found that modern cars, with a more aerodynamic body shape, killed more insects than boxier vintage cars"
__MatrixMan__ 4y ago
The methods they use to trap and count insects ( https://en.wikipedia.org//wiki/Malaise_trap https://en.wikipedia.org//wiki/Malaise_trap ) have been held constant for the last several decades, yet the decline continues ( https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185809 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal... ). I think it's to do with the predators that used to keep the grazers in check. They are fewer because we shot them in protection of or livestock. This lead to a swath of plant extinctions...

I've read much of this is improved aerodynamics of cars that prevents the collisions.

lamontcg 4y ago

Looking at the massive front grill of a modern truck or SUV I very much doubt this.

dylan604 4y ago
what does aerodynamics of cars have to do with modern truck or SUV?
- galangalalgol 4y ago
  And actually those grills are deceptively well tuned. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-ford-f-150-is-most-aerodynamic-f-series-ever/ https://www.motortrend.com/news/2015-ford-f-150-is-most-aero...
- Dudeman112 4y ago
  Non aerodynamic vehicles would have bugs squashed in them if aerodynamics was the main reason for lack of bugs

frereubu 4y ago

You may be partially right, but IIRC one of the studies which found a significant decrease was specifically taking bug samples from number plates rather than windscreens because number plates have been the same shape and in the same orientation for years.

fiftyfifty 4y ago

It's still an anecdote, but I've been driving the same truck for 15 years now. It definitely feels like I don't have to clean my windshield nearly as often as I used to in the summers.

CalRobert 4y ago

Studies using the number plates, or old cars, have shown this is not the cause. Not to mention https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon "The research also found that modern cars, with a more aerodynamic body shape, killed more insects than boxier vintage cars"

__MatrixMan__ 4y ago

The methods they use to trap and count insects ( https://en.wikipedia.org//wiki/Malaise_trap https://en.wikipedia.org//wiki/Malaise_trap ) have been held constant for the last several decades, yet the decline continues ( https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185809 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal... ). I think it's to do with the predators that used to keep the grazers in check. They are fewer because we shot them in protection of or livestock. This lead to a swath of plant extinctions...