Preserving Urban Insects: A Call to Action

Did you know that we are currently witnessing the largest extinction event on Earth in 250 million years? In this context, let’s delve into the crucial role of insects, even in our bustling cities.

Contrary to what their small sizes might suggest, insects play a crucial role in our ecosystems. Without them, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems would collapse. Insects are integral components of food webs, essential for pollination, and act as physical decomposers, significantly influencing carbon and nutrient cycling.

Insects are declining at an alarming rate of 2.5% per year, with 41% of species threatened with extinction. Their rate of local extinction is eight times faster than that of vertebrates. Yet, no substantial measures have been taken to protect them.

The Role of Insects in Our Ecosystems

Insects are often overlooked, but they are the unsung heroes of our natural world. In natural habitats, they pollinate up to 90% of the flowering plants species. Bees, butterflies, many other insects are crucial for the pollination of both wild and cultivated plants.

Moreover, insects are vital decomposers. They break down organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil, which promotes healthy plant growth. This process is essential for nutrient cycling and soil formation. Without insects, dead plants and animals would accumulate, leading to a breakdown in ecosystem function.

Insects are also a fundamental part of the food web. They serve as a primary food source for many birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. A decline in insect populations can lead to a cascade of negative effects throughout the food web, impacting species that rely on them for food.

Causes of Insect Decline

The causes of insect declines are widely debated but almost certainly include habitat loss, chronic exposure to pesticide mixtures, climate change, and roadkill. Urbanization and agricultural expansion have led to significant habitat loss. Pesticides, including insecticides and herbicides, not only kill targeted pests but also non-target insect species. Climate change alters habitats and disrupts the synchrony between insects and their food sources. Roadkill, often overlooked, kills millions of insects annually.

Why Action is Needed Now

The good news is that it is not too late—populations can still recover rapidly if we take action now to create more insect-friendly habitats. If we do not act, the consequences could be dire. Insect decline could lead to a collapse of ecosystems, affecting food security, water purification, and human health.

Easy Solutions at Our Scale

There are several actions we can all take to help preserve insects, many of which do not require a garden.

1. Learn About Them — The first and perhaps most crucial step is to educate ourselves about insects, their functions, and how to support them. If you’re reading this, you’ve already started this step!
2. Grow Plants — You can support insects by growing plants, whether in pots on your windowsill, on your balcony, in a vertical garden, or in your backyard. Choose plants that attract pollinators or native species that benefit local insects. Native plants are particularly beneficial as they have evolved alongside local insects and provide the best resources.

   

3. Build Insect Hotels — Insect hotels attract solitary bees and other beneficial insects. You can build one yourself or purchase a ready-made one. Insect hotels provide shelter for solitary bees, beetles, and other insects, offering them a place to lay eggs and find refuge.
4. Reduce Pesticides and Pollutants — Pesticide use can be indirect, such as buying non-organic food, or direct, like using them in your garden. Artificial fertilizers also harm insect habitats and health. Washing cars, bikes, or building exteriors with soap can indirectly impact insects, as runoff water containing pollutants can end up in waterways where insects live. It’s better to wash your car at specialized facilities where water is filtered to remove pollutants.
5. Turn Off Outside Lights — Light pollution disorients nocturnal insects, often leading them to burn to death or disrupting their breeding patterns. About half of insect species are nocturnal and rely on natural light for navigation, finding food, and reproduction. Reducing light pollution can significantly improve their survival chances. Simple actions like using motion sensors, turning off unnecessary lights, and using insect-friendly lighting can make a big difference.

 

Insects are vital to the health of our ecosystems and our own well-being. By taking these simple steps, we can help ensure that insects continue to thrive, maintaining the delicate balance of our natural world. Every small action count, and together, we can make a significant impact on preserving the incredible diversity of insect life on our planet.

 

Sources

Insect declines and why they matter FUTURE Commissioned by the South West Wildlife Trusts 2. (n.d.). https://www.somersetwildlife.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/FULL%20AFI%20REPORT%20WEB1_1.pdf

Sánchez-Bayo, F., & Wyckhuys, K. A. G. (2019). Worldwide Decline of the entomofauna: a Review of Its Drivers. Biological Conservation, 232(232), 8–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.01.020

Martin, A. E., Graham, S. L., Henry, M., Pervin, E., & Fahrig, L. (2018). Flying insect abundance declines with increasing road traffic. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 11(6), 608–613. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12300

Yang, L. H., & Gratton, C. (2014). Insects as drivers of ecosystem processes. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2, 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2014.06.004

There’s been an apocalypse going on right under our noses – but we can still save their world. (n.d.). World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/11/insects-biodiversity-apocalypse-habitat/

Kawahara, A. Y., Reeves, L. E., Barber, J. R., & Black, S. H. (2021). Opinion: Eight simple actions that individuals can take to save insects from global declines. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(2), e2002547117. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002547117

Corbet, S. A., Williams, I. H., & Osborne, J. L. (1991). Bees and the Pollination of Crops and Wild Flowers in the European Community. Bee World, 72(2), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/0005772x.1991.11099079