Insect Migration

Migration involves the directional, often seasonal movement of large numbers of animals across geographic scales, usually due to shifts in resource availability. Migrants not only connect habitats and populations, but also have profound effects on ecosystem processes, such as nutrient fluxes and the provision of ecosystem services. Insects are the most abundant group of terrestrial migrants.

Using an integrated approach, involving long-term monitoring, radio-telemetry, mark-recapture, citizen science, and stable isotope analysis, we investigate patterns of insect migration across Europe, and the implications of migratory insects for local communities. Furthermore, we investigate the ecological, behavioural and physiological basis of partial migration in insects. Our main focal groups are hoverflies, dragonflies, butterflies and moths.