Insects, with up to 30 million species, are not just pests. They are essential to our planet and our food supply. But every year the number of insects flying, crawling or nesting in some parts of the planet is decreasing. “And why are flies so important?” Some may wonder because without them there would be no chocolate and ice cream, because they pollinate both cocoa and the plants that feed dairy cows.

A world without insects is a world we don’t want to live in, yet we don’t care much for these creatures, and many of them are on the verge of extinction. Reports indicate that insects in general are declining rapidly.

Biodiversity crisis. Scientists’ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveal that some populations have declined by more than 70% in just a few decades. Dozens of insect experts contributed to a series of reports in the journal on how insects are doing well or badly around the world. And yes, pretty bad. Data show an alarming decline in numbers around the world, with losses of up to 25% per decade.

Reports of rapid and widespread declines in insects have alarmed scientists. The creatures are among the most abundant and diverse species on the planet and play important roles, from soil aeration to pollination to nutrient recycling. Case studies, such as one of the nature reserves in West Germany, pointed to a staggering decline of about 75% over 27 years.

disposition. This latest study, based on data from 166 long-term surveys at 1,676 locations, shows that locusts are one of the species experiencing the most significant declines. The review shows that insects such as butterflies, ants and grasshoppers are decreasing by 0.92% per year. , which equals 9% per decade. D., lead author of the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research. “This is extremely serious, it means a quarter fewer bugs over 30 years,” said Roel Van Klink.

we are not aware. This is true. How can we ordinary people understand what is going on in the world of insects? Many people had an instinctive perception that insects were declining, informed by the so-called “windshield phenomenon”, where there are often fewer dead bugs splashed onto cars. But even researchers say it’s a real thing.

Where? Losses are highest in the western and midwestern US and Europe, particularly in Germany. And trends have taken a more negative turn in recent years, with the biggest declines since 2005. Yet while many terrestrial species are declining, the new study shows that freshwater insects such as mosquitoes and mayflies are growing 1.08% per year.

This positive trend has been strong in northern Europe, the western US and since the 1990s in Russia, possibly due to new legislation on clean water.

Because? Scientists say there is no conclusive evidence that insects are declining, but they believe the key point is the destruction of natural habitats due to urbanisation. This finding of habitat destruction has been replicated in other major biodiversity studies. Threats range from deforestation, climate change and invasive species to industrialized agriculture and even light pollution. “Death by a thousand cuts,” said David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut.

The big picture is complex: Even in close geographic areas, some insects can get along well with struggling members of the same species. Ann Swengel, a scientist, has spent more than 30 years studying butterflies. “We’ve seen a lot of decline, even on many protected sites,” she explained.

Importance. Abundant insect populations are vital for many reasons, from how they maintain the world’s food supply to how they form flowers through pollination. Although most of us prefer not to encounter the smallest creatures on the planet, their role in our lives cannot be underestimated. Insects are dwindling, as they are everywhere in the natural world, yes. But it’s not too late yet.

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