Title: What’s Causing the Sharp Decline in Insects, and Why It Matters - Yale E360
Headings: What’s Causing the Sharp Decline in Insects, and Why It Matters
Vanishing Act
What’s Causing the Sharp Decline in Insects, and Why It Matters
Scientists have described 1 million species of insects so far, and estimate at least 4 million are still unrecorded.
A recent increase in insect monitoring efforts stems from the rise of ‘citizen science’ projects.
How Rising CO2 Levels May Contribute to Die-Off of Bees

Content: In large parts of Europe, the U.S., and South America, monocultures cover vast areas of the landscape, creating “biological deserts” devoid of hedges or ponds where insects could reproduce. Attempts to make the European Union’s agricultural system more environmentally friendly have largely failed in recent years. Of particular concern is the widespread use of pesticides and their impact on non-target species. Many conservationists view a special class of pesticides called neonicotinoids — used over many years in Europe until a partial ban in 2013 — as the prime suspect for insect losses. The European Food Safety Authority is currently reviewing the ban. Other pesticides are widely used worldwide. “There are many indications that what we see is the result of a widespread poisoning of our landscape,” says Leif Miller, director general of the German chapter of BirdLife International. A recent increase in insect monitoring efforts stems from the rise of ‘citizen science’ projects. Yet even environmental campaigners like Miller admit that the root causes and the full dimension of the problem aren’t yet fully understood. “ I suspect it is a multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being the leading factors,” says Stanford ecologist Dirzo.