The collapse of insects

Insect populations are declining at an unprecedented rate

Not only informative, but an amazing graphics presentation by Reuters.

6 comments

Fantastic article. Well worth the read.
The world has lost 5% to 10% of all insect species in the last 150 years — or between 250,000 and 500,000 species, according to a February 2020 study in the journal Biological Conservation. Those losses are continuing...
I knew we are losing insects, but I was wrong. We are shedding them! ☹️
As to the reasons, unsurprisingly:
...from habitat loss and industrial farming to climate change. Nitrogen overloading from sewage and fertilizers has turned wetlands into dead zones; artificial light is flooding out nighttime skies; and the growth of urban areas has led to concrete sprawl... the introduction of non-native plants...
It is us. Humans. All the way.
This will bite us badly at one point.
- I've read similar things about bird populations, which would track with this data. Good luck, everybody.
- Pretty sure that those who are profiting most believe they will somehow escape.
Pesticides should be illegal imo.
- Agreed. Tho there are places where insects cause many deaths from disease (eg malaria) ... Best if those could be very specifically targeted at those insects only (not 'broad-spectrum').
“Nature is just eroding away very slowly,” Wagner said. As insects disappear, “we’re losing the limbs and the twigs of the tree of life. We’re tearing it apart. And we’re leaving behind a very simplified and ugly tree.”
Absolutely hur wrenching. I can hear the frustration and emotion in that sentence.

6 comments