Insects are all around us—an ant on the sidewalk, a bee buzzing by, a butterfly floating on the breeze—and they shape the world we experience. They pollinate flowering plants, decompose waste, control pests, and are critical links in food chains.
Despite how much humans rely on insects, our actions are
reducing their populations in many parts of the world
. A recent study found that the United States lost more than 20% of its butterflies over the
past two decades
. Sadly, this rate of decline is not unusual. Many studies have found that insect populations are
declining at 1% to 2% per year
.
To understand why this is happening,
Status of Insects
, an international research group we are part of, reviewed 175 recent studies on the causes of insect decline. We found hundreds of potential causes that are all highly connected, almost all of which stem directly or indirectly from human activities.
The drivers of insect decline are connected
The
causes of insect decline
are led by a few major sources:
intensive agriculture
,
climate change
,
pollution
,
invasive species
and
habitat loss
. Some drivers are bigger threats than others, but all of them play a role in causing insect declines.
Importantly, many insects experience
more than one
of these stressors at the same time.
Urban risks
Imagine a moth within an urban park setting. The expansion of the city poses a threat through habitat reduction for this creature; however, non-native plant species infiltrating from nearby gardens could similarly jeopardize its living space. Additionally, the moth endures adverse impacts due to pollution prevalent in such environments—including light, air, and noise contamination typical of cities.
Light pollution is
especially important for moths
since they get drawn to artificial lighting after dark, which also attracts their predators. For instance, spiders are affected this way.
learned to hunt in well-lit regions
When nocturnal moth species linger near artificial lighting for extended periods, they
can use up a significant amount of energy
, reducing time available for tasks like pollinating plants.
In addition to being
Pollinators, such as moths, also regulate plant development.
By consuming leaves in their caterpillar phase, these insects serve as nourishment for numerous bird and bat species, each playing crucial parts within various ecological systems.
Dangers facing agricultural land and fruit plantations
Intensive farming practices are among the most frequently debated factors contributing to the decrease in insect populations. These practices are closely linked with various other reasons as well.
Take into account native bees within farming regions. With the expansion of agriculture, these insects lose more of their natural habitats. Farmlands often exhibit elevated concentrations of various chemicals—including pesticides for insects, fungi, weeds, as well as nutrients for soil. These insecticides target and interfere with essential physiological processes in insects, which could
directly harm bees
while herbicides indirectly interfere with bees by
eliminating vegetation that serves as nourishment
.
Often, U.S. farms also use honeybees, native to Europe, for pollination. These introduced bees are easier to manage but
can transmit illnesses and pests
into native bee populations.
Native bees might withstand one of these dangers, but facing all three simultaneously poses a far greater challenge.
Contaminated water can likewise be detrimental to insects.
People frequently concentrate on insects like bees and butterflies since they stand out more, yet numerous insects spend significant portions of their lives beneath water surfaces, encountering an entirely different array of dangers over there.
For instance,
Dragonflies live in water during their juvenile stage.
The dangers during this phase of life are just as serious but completely distinct from the ones encountered by grown-ups.
When the water levels in creeks or lakes drop, that
reduces young dragonflies’ habitat
These pests may also face threats due to water contamination resulting from runoff.
increases in water temperature
with climate change.
Successful conservation considers all the risks
These connections mean humans must be thoughtful about conservation.
Well-meaning actions such as reducing pollution or controlling invasive species can help, but they will have little effect if there is no habitat for insects to return to. Restoring habitat
can have widespread benefits
and potentially help insects respond to other threats.
There are
more insect species on Earth
than species in
Any other group of plants or animals
They are present virtually anywhere you search.
However, public focus primarily lies on pollinators, which may overlook other insect species dealing with unresolved human-induced dangers.
Protecting and rehabilitating water sources such as marshes, lakes, and rivers is crucial for aquatic insects like dragonflies. Numerous other insects reside primarily beneath the earth’s surface. Insects that live in the soil, including certain types of beetles and flies, play significant roles, such as
decomposing dead plant material
.
Effective conservation efforts take into account species across all stages of their life cycle. For example, establishing pollinator gardens offers nectar for
adult hoverflies
—An essential yet frequently neglected pollinator. However, a garden wouldn’t automatically offer sustenance during their larval stage, as numerous hoverflies feed on decaying plant and animal material instead.
How to help insects
The easiest method to assist insects involves offering them well-maintained habitats.
This involves nurturing a range of indigenous flora that can offer both nectar and foliage.
nourishment for numerous plant-eating insects
throughout their lives.
A suitable habitat should include areas where insects can build their nests.
such as bare ground or leaf litter
. Bigger patches are better, but even small gardens can be helpful.
Meanwhile, reducing vulnerability to other hazards is crucial. Measures like
reducing artificial lighting during nighttime
And cutting back on pesticide usage can make a difference.
Several factors contribute to the decrease in insect populations, which makes their restoration quite a daunting task. However, there are
also many ways
—from large to small—people, cities, and businesses can minimize the damage and support these important creatures in thriving.
This article has been republished from
The Conversation
Under a Creative Commons license. Review the
original article
.
Provided by The Conversation
This tale was initially released on
Dailyexe
. Subscribe to our
newsletter
For the most recent science and technology news updates.
