Insects play an important role in ecosystems

According to a recent study by Lancaster University, we should stop viewing insects as creepy crawlies and instead focus on the diverse benefits they provide for humans and nature.

The widespread and deep-rooted negative cultural perception of insects is an important factor preventing the public from appreciating the crucial role they play in ecosystems. Unfortunately, this perception is partly reflected in government inaction on biodiversity policy worldwide.

Despite three decades of intergovernmental reports highlighting biodiversity targets, the biomass, abundance and diversity of insects continue to decline worldwide. «The decline in biodiversity, including insects, is often an unintended consequence of human activities in which human well-being almost always takes precedence over conservation, and this is likely to continue until we reach a point where we recognise that the degradation of ecosystems is harmful to our own species», said the study's lead author, Phillip Donkersley, an expert in invertebrate biology and conservation policy at Lancaster.

«Intergovernmental measures have been slow to respond and only take effect when the changes can no longer be ignored. If we want political attitudes and actions to change, we must first address the perception of insects in society.«

Dr. Donkersley and his colleagues highlight the various benefits that insects provide, including their fundamental role in ecosystems (e.g. the pollination of plants or as a food source for animals and humans in many parts of the world) and their contribution to well-being, culture and innovation (e.g. the mental health benefits that people derive from seeing butterflies in parks and gardens, their inclusion in poetry and literature, or their use in a range of technologies, cosmetics and medicines).

In addition, the scientists have identified several strategic priorities in their action plan to support insect conservation, including: proactively and publicly addressing government inaction; highlighting the technological developments we owe to insects; collaborating with groups working to protect plants, mammals and birds to emphasise the interdependence of different species and to illustrate the benefits that insect conservation could have for other species; raising awareness among pupils and students of the wonders of the insect world, in order to counter the deeply ingrained perception of insects as threatening creepy-crawlies.

«The benefits we derive from the insect world are wide-ranging, yet aversion or phobias towards invertebrates are widespread and stand in the way of their protection«, said Dr. Donkersley. «We need to overcome this mindset and acknowledge the immense role they play in ecosystems, food chains, mental health and even technological innovation.»

«This shift in perception is a crucial step, alongside other measures we outline in this paper. Immediate and extensive action to protect insect species is required in order to maintain the stability of global ecosystems«, he concluded.

The study was published in the journal Ecology and Evolution .