When we think of the word “apocalypse,” meaning the end of the world, we think of a lot of things. We think of aliens invading, zombies taking over, asteroids colliding with the earth, etc. However, one thing we don’t really think of, at least immediately, is the world ending because of the “insect apocalypse,” a term professor and author David Goulson uses in his book Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse. 

Biologists such as Goulson strongly suggest that an “insect apocalypse’ is taking place on earth right now, as the number of insects "are disappearing, ant by ant, bee by bee, day by day” (1). According to Goulson, estimates claim that insects have decreased by at least 75% since around 50 years ago (1). In fact, monarch butterflies in the US have “fell by 90 percent in the last 20 years,” and around that corresponding time, “the rusty-patched bumblebee, which once lived in 28 states, dropped by 87 percent” (2). In Germany, which is several thousand kilometers away from the US, scientists discovered that, “measured simply by weight, the overall abundance of flying insects in German nature reserves had decreased by 75 percent over just 27 years” (2). From these sets of data and many more that have been documented, it seems like the insect apocalypse is a significant, worldwide issue.

The next logical question one may ask is: What matters if insects all around the world are in steady decline? Basically everything. Insects play a huge role in several ecosystems and allow the world to function how it is today. As Goulson puts it, “insects are intimately involved in all terrestrial and freshwater food chains and food webs” (1). This means that without insects, entire ecosystems and food chains would collapse as animals who feast on them would not be able to survive. Of course, the impact on humans would be felt as well as all humans likely either eat insects or eat things that eat insects (1). Additionally, insects are the primary pollinators for plants and allow plants to reproduce (including the crops we grow and consume), and are crucial in decomposing dead bodies and fallen leaves (1). To put their significance into perspective, “the ecosystem services provided by insects are estimated to be worth at least $57bn a year in the US alone” (1).

So, what can we do in response? Goulson suggests several solutions. He explains that people, especially the younger generation, needs to be more aware of nature and its benefits, and that we should build more “green” spaces in cities and other urban areas. He also states that the current food system that is “failing us in many ways” should be changed so that it can grow food while supporting biodiversity and the soil. Finally, he urges governments to properly support wildlife conservation-related organizations financially, and set legal standards to protect insects like they protect animals (1). We must all consolidate together and do something about the decline of these insects; otherwise, it seems likely that the world will quite literally come to an end.

Sources:

1: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/25/the-insect-apocalypse-our-world-will-grind-to-a-halt-without-them
2: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/magazine/insect-apocalypse.html

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly