The Insect Apocalypse: Why It Matters

Insect populations have declined 45% in the last 40 years in many regions. Causes include habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and light pollution. This matters because insects form the base of most terrestrial food webs.

87% of plant species depend on animal pollination, mostly by insects. Birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals all depend on insects as food. The economic value of insect services (pollination, pest control, decomposition) is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

Without insects, ecosystems collapse within months..