Insect Population Decline

Written By Shayla Smith

Back in 2014 I worked at a full serve gas station and had to wash the dried bugs off peoples' windshields. I spent many hours scrubbing windshields and replacing the wash when it got too dirty. This past summer I drove an average of 4 hours a day at work, half of which were on forestry roads, and never had to worry about cleaning my windshield.

Over the past few decades there has been a drop in insect activity over various species. Although there are some conflicting studies as to how much the insects are declining and the exact reasons behind the decline, the dangers towards insects are extensive and, depending on the species, can include:​

  • Higher carbon dioxide concentrations

  • Light pollution

  • Invasive and ornamental species

  • Nitrification

  • Climate change

  • Insecticide Use 

  • Land use change

  • Agricultural intensification

  • Deforestation

  • Habitat degradation

 These dangers are impacting pollinators, decomposers, and nutrient cyclers. This is an economic concern as well as a food security issue.​ Insects being integral to the food web of many animals, it is very concerning to see this decline develop so rapidly.

​Changing how we impact our planet can help us reduce the decline in wildlife populations, not just insects. This will help maintain the diversity of the planet and sustain out resources for future generations. Actions such as protected lands, monitoring and breeding programs, education and legislation and policy research and implementation can have a significant effect on these creatures and should have a higher importance on peoples minds even if the mosquitoes make it hard to sleep some nights.​

Sources:

​

Forister, M. L., Pelton, E. M., & Black, S. H. (2019). Declines in insect abundance and diversity: We know enough to act now. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(8). https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.80

​

David L. Wagner. 2020. Insect Declines in the Anthropocene. Annual Review Entomology. 65:457-480. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025151

​

Gebremariam, G. H. (2024). A Systematic Review of Insect Decline and Discovery: Trends, Drivers, and Conservation Strategies over the past Two Decades. Psyche a Journal of Entomology, 2024(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5998962​

Shayla Smith
Previous

International Cooperation