What is a typical reflectivity for bugs in clear air scattering?

The typical reflectivity for bugs in clear air scattering is indeed found within the range of -2 to 20 dBz. In radar meteorology, dBz (decibels relative to Z) is a logarithmic measure of the radar reflectivity factor, which quantifies how much radar energy is backscattered by targets such as precipitation, insects, and other objects.

In the case of bugs or small insects, particularly when in clear air, their size and shape produce weak returns, leading to relatively low reflectivity values. The range of -2 to 20 dBz captures this subtle backscatter caused by insects rather than precipitation. Low reflectivity values are characteristic of small, non-rainfall targets, making this range appropriate for observing such phenomena.

Higher ranges, such as 0 to 10 dBz, do not fully encapsulate the potential for higher returns from denser swarms or larger insects, and the ranges beyond this, up to 30 or 40 dBz, indicate significantly stronger reflectivity associated with heavier precipitation, which is not applicable in the clear air scenario. Thus, the chosen range accurately reflects typical radar behavior when detecting bugs in a clear environment.