It's a shame, really. Another question: As far as I know, an expansion costs 15% influence in the expanding system. Does this drop happen when the expansion triggers (so you'd know early from which system you're going to expand) or does it happen at the end, along with the expansion itself?
it happens (or should happen) daily, with 2,5% per day.
experiences whether it really happens are different. in most cases your activity will outdo that loss, so you won't feel it.