Hilpoltstein (dpa / lby) – Each species of bumblebee has a different pattern on the rear part – according to the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV), citizens should pay particular attention to this this year in the nationwide “Insect Summer” hands-on campaign. From June 3rd to 12th and August 5th to 14th, all those interested in nature can observe and count the insects in the garden, on the meadow, in the forest or on the river for one hour.

In this way, the German Nature Conservation Union (Nabu) and LBV want to gather information about insect decline in Germany. Insects are important for nature as a whole, because they contribute to plant reproduction and soil fertility, said LBV entomologist Tarja Richter on Wednesday. “Since we humans tend to protect what we know above all, we want to use the insect summer to draw attention to the small but so important animals and their protection.”

According to the LBV, there are around 33,000 native species of insects in Germany. Which ones can be discovered should be counted for one hour in a narrowly defined area during the observation period: This should not be larger than about ten meters in any direction from your own point of view.