A recent article presented on CNN titled “The insect apocalypse is coming: Here’s what you can do about it.” reports that up to 41% of insect species may face extinction in the coming decades. A major source for this article was a study authored by Dave Goulson at the University of Sussex in the UK. His report is titled “Insect Declines and Why They Matter.
Dr Goulsons report begins with a statement which will likely hit home to many of you
“In the last fty years, we have reduced the abundance of wildlife on Earth dramatically. Many species that were once common are now scarce. Much attention focusses on declines of large, charismatic animals, but recent evidence suggests that abundance of insects may have fallen by 50% or more since 1970. This is troubling, because insects are vitally important, as food, pollinators and recyclers amongst other things. Perhaps more frightening, most of us have not noticed that anything has changed. Even those of us who can remember the 1970s, and who are interested in nature, can’t accurately remember how many butterflies or bumblebees there were when we were children.”
We all know that insects, like em or leave em, are responsible for pollination of three quarters of our food crops. Thus we can expect to pay dearly if insect populations decline as predicted.
Dr Goulson is not alone in his assessment of the rate of potential insect decline. A review published by Francisco Sánchez-Bayo and Kris A.G.Wyckhuys titled “Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers” reaches similar conclusions citing habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species and climate change as primary drives of insect loss.1
Both studies suggest we can do a few things to stem the decline in insect populations like:
1 Plant a garden using plants that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
2.Create more insect habitat like a log or brush pile. These attract humble insects and invertebrates like woodlice, which recycle nutrients and act as food for birds and small mammals.
3.Voice your opinion to your local authorities. Push for planting native trees that flower on streets and parks and plant wildflowers in road medians.
4. Avoid using pesticides and encourage your friends, family and local government to do the same.
Besides their role in a functional ecosystem insects are darn cool to observe and photograph as well. At what cost we will begin see the beauty of life on earth.
Click on any photo to play slide show.
Reference:
1.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.01.020
A few links on creating a pollinator friendly garden. Yes we are going into winter but it’s never too early to think about next years garden.
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/PollinatorGarden.html
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml
nature has no boss 
Great post, Mike. I pray we can reverse this trend before it is too late.
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and we as well yet all evidence currently point in the wrong direction.
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Wonderful photo gallery of these very important creatures.
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Very important creatures indeed.
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Great post. I hope we all do our best with plantings and not using pesticides. I loved the photos. Some of the insects are so intricate and beautiful–and a few look like they’re smiling for their photos.
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Yes it is time for everyone to make some changes if we want a habitable planet for future generations. Also it took some coaxing but we did get a few of those guys to smile.
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Amazing macro captures! Appreciate you bring focus to these critical environmental issues.
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Thanks and just trying to pitch in some way to help life many forms.
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What a great picture parade and message Mike!
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Thanks Val. Hop your week is off to a fine start.
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Lovely
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Thanks, hope your week is off to a great start and thanks again for the feedback. We appreciate it.
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Sure it is, thank you have a great week
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Very interesting post and thank you so much for sharing.
I had a chat with an environmentalist a few days back and we discussed about the importance of micro habitats.
Even in urban or semi urban areas, we can help protect a healthy population of insects, butterflies and birds with the help of scattered micro habitats.
We are trying to make it a practice to leave a few cents (a cent is around 40 square meter ) of space in each property undisturbed as a micro habitat.
The butterflies and other insects in my garden really helped me to escape from the boredom of lock down and I am spending at least an hour each day to observe them and in photography.
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Thank you for this very informative an excellent post. Wonderful advice for all of us. So many of these recommendations are really so simple to follow, and hopefully, widespread public education and awareness will make a difference.
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