Lord Howe Island got rid of its rats and mice – now its ‘wonderful’ insect life is back
Lord Howe Island has seen a resurgence of its invertebrate population following a successful rodent eradication program. The removal of invasive rats and mice has allowed native species, such as the stag beetle, to thrive once again. A recent study reported a 60% increase in the total numbers of invertebrates on the island since the program's implementation in 2019.
- ▪The rodent eradication program on Lord Howe Island was implemented in 2019 to remove about 300,000 invasive rats and mice.
- ▪A study found a 60% increase in the total numbers of invertebrates since the eradication program.
- ▪Lord Howe Island is home to over 1,600 different known invertebrate species, with about half found nowhere else on Earth.
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The Lord Howe Island stag beetle is among the invertebrates that have begun to thrive after a rodent eradication program was successful. Photograph: Ian HuttonView image in fullscreenThe Lord Howe Island stag beetle is among the invertebrates that have begun to thrive after a rodent eradication program was successful. Photograph: Ian HuttonLord Howe IslandLord Howe Island got rid of its rats and mice – now cockroaches and bugs are bouncing backRodents arrived on the subtropical island more than a century ago, decimating its native flora and fauna – but its invertebrates are once again boomingGraham Readfearn Environment and climate correspondentWed 27 May 2026 05.35 EDTLast modified on Wed 27 May 2026 05.36 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIn the summer months, Lord Howe Island’s…
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