Many people harbor a certain disdain or even fear of these small creatures that share the world with us. I have been a bug lover since I was a little girl, choosing to catch bugs and take them outside rather than kill them. However, many people don’t realize that these insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates form the very foundation of our environment’s intricate web of life, and without them, our world would collapse. They are the unsung heroes of biodiversity, performing a variety of essential services. Consider their crucial role as pollinators, ensuring the reproduction of countless plant species, including many that provide us with food. Without bees, butterflies, and other insect pollinators, our agricultural systems would suffer catastrophic losses, leading to widespread food shortages. 

Our ecosystems are intricately dependent on their insect inhabitants, who play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Our bug populations constitute a staggering 80% of animal life on Earth, highlighting their pervasive presence and influence. However, this vital foundation of our planet’s biodiversity is facing a major crisis. A review in the Biological Conservation found that over 40% of all insect species are currently in decline, with an additional third currently on the brink of endangerment. These alarming trends suggest a widespread deterioration of insect populations globally. If the current trajectory continues its decline, by the end of the century, up to 40% of the world’s insect species are expected to face extinction. There are currently multiple factors contributing to this devastating loss. Effects from greenhouse gases and new dynamic shifts in our world’s climate are affecting populations in numerous ways. From the constant destruction of habitats to the widespread use of pesticides, our insect populations are also declining rapidly due to human interactions. According to the United Nations, the rate of extinction amongst insects is eight times faster than that observed in all other animals. These drastic statistics foreground the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these indispensable creatures. 

Climate change continues to be a primary catalyst of numerous environmental challenges; however, the massive impact this has on our insect populations is frequently underestimated. Climate change continues to alter our environmental conditions, making it difficult for many animals and insects alike to adapt to all these changes. The emerging consequences, including those from the greenhouse gas effect, have begun resulting in the elevation of temperatures past normal, the increase in frequent droughts, and rainfall patterns that have become unpredictable and unnatural. Prevalent issues, including drastic differences in temperatures, increased CO2 levels, and sudden shifts in typical weather patterns, are significantly altering the biochemical processes within insects, causing them to alter their survival patterns internally. The alteration of these biochemical processes has started to have notable effects on the life of an insect, specifically in fertility, feeding patterns, survival rates, population dynamics, and migration patterns. 

Taking a deeper look, the changes being caused within the biochemical nature of these creatures have begun directly affecting the success rates of reproduction, leading to a reduction in egg productivity, as well as a lower sperm count, which in some cases has led to a complete failure in reproduction with some of these insects. Alterations within the metabolic states can negatively affect an insect’s ability to locate, recognize, and even digest food. This is cumulatively leading to an overall decline in the survival rate of these bugs. All of these changes will begin to cause increased susceptibility to disease, predators, and additional environmental stressors. 

Besides climate change being one of the strongest reasons behind the decline in populations, deforestation and habitat loss are also very prevalent issues. The destruction of our natural environments, driven by human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation, deprives our insects of the essential resources they need to survive and expand their populations. Many of our insect populations heavily rely on host plants or microhabitats such as fallen leaves, rotting wood, or undisturbed soil for nutrients and safety. Besides the destruction of habitats, any alterations can also reduce the availability of food and reproduction sites for many of these creatures. Alongside habitat loss, the increase in pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids, is causing similar issues. Neonicotinoids contaminate everything around them, including all the pollen, nectar, and food sources that bees, butterflies, and many others need. These pesticides directly target an insect’s nervous system, causing them to be severely impaired if not dead. At a smaller level, these chemicals still cause damage to reproductive organs and their immune systems. 

But why are these insects so crucial to our environment? All of these changes can have a significant cascading effect on all ecosystems, which could lead to dire consequences within the environment as well as towards the health of all humans. Our insects are directly responsible for a vast amount of pollination, which could begin to cause issues with our food security levels. Not only would this cause food insecurity for us humans, but think of how many different types of animals rely on insects as their main food source, including birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and even some mammals. Many insects are so essential to the recycling of nutrients that occur within ecosystems, being one of the most vital steps in the decomposition of most organic matter, assisting in the return of nutrients, and contributing to a healthy soil composition. Besides this, we often associate insects with being pests, but many of them actually play crucial roles in true pest control by preying on other insects that may damage crops and spread diseases. 

The detrimental effects on these insect populations are not irreversible, and there are still many changes that can be made to help, such as policy changes to help with habitat protection, lessen widespread use of pesticides, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Implementing stricter regulations on neonicotinoid use and banning these harmful pesticides is another step in the right direction. Having more conscientious protections towards biodiversity and the protection of natural habitats can allow these ecosystems to thrive and help these populations recover. Encouraging the spread of education and public awareness and campaigns that promote green policy changes help allow these changes to actually happen.

Our insect friends may be small, but they play such a crucial role in the way the world works. Next time you see a bug, remember how important their little jobs are in making our world go round. We must protect them through conscientious choices like reducing pesticide use and supporting sustainable practices, ensuring a biodiverse future for all. Vote green for Earth!