Researchers are charting worrying declines in global insect populations , caused by factors including the use of herbicides , particularly neonicotinoids , habitat loss , urbanization and climate change . Insects are responsible for pollinating 75 % of human food production , a service that equates to costs of $ 500bn each year . Insects also transform plants into protein and provide food for a huge range of other species . They also play an essential role in the processes that maintain ecosystems and keep cities and roadsides free of waste . Researchers are calling for international action to address the problem , including cooperation on infrastructure planning that integrates insect habitats .
Scientists are charting worrying declines in global insect populations, caused by factors including the use of herbicides, particularly neonicotinoids, habitat loss, urbanization and climate change. Insects are responsible for pollinating 75% of human food crops, a service that equates to costs of $500bn each year. Insects also transform plants into protein and provide food for a huge range of other species. They also play an essential role in decomposition processes that maintain ecosystems and keep cities and roadsides free of waste. Researchers are calling for international action to combat the problem, including cooperation on infrastructure planning that integrates insect habitats.