{"id":1486,"date":"2020-06-06T15:03:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T14:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=1486"},"modified":"2024-02-18T18:26:47","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T18:26:47","slug":"insect-population-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/insect-population-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"27 Fascinating Insect Population Statistics (2024 UPDATE)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the summer of 1875, it took a swarm of about 10 billion locusts close to a week to pass through Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Some 30 years later, the species went extinct, leaving the ecosystem damaged since they provided food for many insectivores.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some more recent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are even scarier. Namely, 40% of all insect species are in decline or on the verge of extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should we worry? Yes! And here\u2019s why:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='top-10-statistics-insect-populations%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 10 Statistics <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect Populations\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <a href=\"#several million species of insects\">several million species of insects<\/a> in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-third of all <a href=\"#insect species are endangered\">insect species are endangered<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only <a href=\"#84 species of insects\">84 species of insects<\/a> in the US are listed as endangered or threatened.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">America\u2019s soil is <a href=\"#48 times more toxic to insects\">48 times more toxic to insects<\/a> than 25 years ago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global warming has <a href=\"#killed 98% of insects\">killed 98% of insects<\/a> in Puerto Rico\u2019s Luquillo rainforest.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herbicides are the <a href=\"#second-greatest cause for the decline\">second-greatest cause for the decline<\/a> in insect population<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2018, <a href=\"#less than 200,000 monarch butterflies\">less than 200,000 monarch butterflies<\/a> wintered in California.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#More than 20 butterfly and moth species\">More than 20 butterfly and moth species<\/a> in the US are listed as endangered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#36% of the 39 dragonfly\">36% of the 39 dragonfly<\/a> species are in decline.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less than 30 Asian <a href=\"#hornets can wipe out a 30,000-honeybee colony\">hornets can wipe out a 30,000-honeybee colony<\/a> in hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone knows that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/bee-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bees are dying in high numbers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and that we\u2019d be left with minimal food sources if they disappeared completely. But should we worry about the ladybugs and butterflies in the same way we worry about bees?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep reading if you want to find out why insects are important and how their disappearance would affect the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-many-species-of-insects-are-there-in-the-world'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Many Species of Insects Are There in the World<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insects are the most diverse group of animals, with the highest number of species. But how many of them are there?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-there-are-several-million-species-of-insects'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. There are several million species of insects.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Scientific American)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to popular belief, insects are the dominant form of animal life on Earth. Compared to 5,416 species of mammals, almost a million insect species have been described so far.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And according to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> data, there could be up to 30 million species of insects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-a-third-of-all-insect-species-are-endangered'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. A third of all insect species are endangered.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(The Guardian)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world&#8217;s insect species are moving towards extinction at worrying rates. According to the research, their extinction rate is eight times faster than those of mammals, reptiles, and birds. At this rate, insects could disappear within 100 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='3-76-of-flying-insects-in-germany-have-disappeared'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. 76% of flying <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insects in Germany<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have disappeared.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(National Geographic)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following several high-profile papers on this topic, a group of European researchers discovered that this staggering decline happened over just 27 years within 63 protected areas of Germany.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-arthropod-biomass-in-the-luquillo-rainforest-in-puerto-rico-has-declined-between-10-and-60-times'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Arthropod biomass in the Luquillo rainforest in Puerto Rico has declined between 10 and 60 times.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PNAS)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rainforests are known for being the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/rainforest-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most biologically diverse regions in the world<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect biomass<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has always been one of the most significant parts of that diversity. The temperature of the rainforest has been rising since the 1970s, causing its food chain to collapse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From this, it\u2019s clear that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/global-warming-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">global warming affects all species on the planet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='5-only-84-species-of-insects-in-the-us-are-listed-as-endangered-or-threatened'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Only 84 species of insects in the US are listed as endangered or threatened.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ENTSOC, Scientific American)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, scientists believe that the number is higher. There are several reasons behind this underrepresentation, like habitat specificity or dependence on a host plant or animal that is rare. But is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect apocalypse debunked<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the data? The answer is complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The data clearly shows that some insect species are declining dramatically. But these statistics might be location-specific and not a global trend. In some cases, they don\u2019t even indicate a local problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though we might not see an insect apocalypse, many insect species are still dying out at alarming rates. There are numerous reasons behind this trend.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='why-are-insects-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Are Insects Dying<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most apparent reasons for the decline in insect population is the use of pesticides. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/endangered-species-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loss of habitat can also endanger the existence of a species<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as well as habitat degradation and the decline and disappearance of plants and animals that insects depend on for food and shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/water-pollution-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water pollution also has devastating effects on the environment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and contributes to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect extinction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='6-america%e2%80%99s-agriculture-is-48-times-more-toxic-to-insects-than-25-years-ago'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. America\u2019s agriculture is 48 times more toxic to insects than 25 years ago.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PLOS One, National Geographic)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The agricultural landscape is toxic because of the widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which can remain toxic in the environment for up to 1,000 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pesticides are responsible for 92% of increased toxicity. Plants absorb these chemicals into all of their tissues \u2014 stems, leaves, pollen, nectar, and sap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the study on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population decline<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conducted in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, these chemicals are incredibly toxic to pollinators like bees and butterflies, while birds aren&#8217;t spared either.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='7-a-study-conducted-in-sweden-in-2018-revealed-that-there-was-62-less-nocturnal-pollination-due-to-light-pollution-at-the-time-of-the-study'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. A study conducted in Sweden in 2018 revealed that there was 62% less nocturnal pollination due to light pollution at the time of the study.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(news.com.au)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The study showed that artificial lights disturb nocturnal pollinators, which leads to a severe decline of seed sets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial lights also impair the effectiveness of illumination methods that some flowers use to attract pollinators, the study on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population decline<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2018<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='8-global-warming-has-killed-98-of-insects-in-puerto-rico%e2%80%99s-luquillo-rainforest'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Global warming has killed 98% of insects in Puerto Rico\u2019s Luquillo rainforest.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(DownToEarth)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change is significantly affecting all living beings on the planet, but the Luquillo rainforest is suffering the most.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the last 30 years, the temperature in this rainforest has increased by two degrees Celsius (35.6\u00b0F), which eradicated almost the entirety of the rainforest\u2019s insect population.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='9-the-use-of-herbicides-is-the-second-greatest-cause-of-the-insect-populations-decline-as-insect-population-statistics-show'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. The use of herbicides is the second-greatest cause of the insect population&#8217;s decline, as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> show.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(The Ecologist)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the 1980s, insects occurred at a rate of 100 kilograms per hectare in North America alone, making their biomass 15 times greater than that of all people, birds, and non-human mammals from the same area combined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fields were filled with a diversity of wild plants \u2014 the main food for insects. In the UK, the use of herbicides has increased so much that there&#8217;s only sandy soil and crop left, leaving insects without their primary food source.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='insect-population-decline'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect Population Decline<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This rapid decline in the population of insects is a sign that the sixth mass extinction of insects has already begun. Globally, the most affected species are bees, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies, but other species are in great danger, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='10-in-2018-less-than-200000-monarch-butterflies-were-overwintering-on-the-california-coast'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. In 2018, less than 200,000 monarch butterflies were overwintering on the California coast.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Xerces Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around twenty years ago, more than 1.2 million monarch butterflies were recorded on a smaller number of coastal sites in California, as the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there were approximately 300,000 monarchs in 2017, and the number dropped even more in 2018. Furthermore, the population estimates at individual sites also suggest that the western monarch population is declining.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='11-the-population-of-ladybugs-in-the-us-and-canada-has-declined-14-from-1987-to-2006'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11. The population of ladybugs in the US and Canada has declined 14% from 1987 to 2006.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NBC News)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flying insects are almost a thing of the past, and ladybugs are no exception. Scientists agree that the probable causes for this phenomenon are the widespread use of insecticides and pesticides, light pollution, and climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People have also been encouraged to conduct the un-scientific \u201cwindshield test\u201d (the number of insects squashed on car windshields).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The test could reveal that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ladybug population<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is decreasing. Still, the test itself is not entirely reliable because it doesn&#8217;t include a control group. Furthermore, modern cars are more aerodynamic, allowing insects to avoid an impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='12-more-than-20-butterfly-and-moth-species-in-the-us-are-listed-as-endangered'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12. More than 20 butterfly and moth species in the US are listed as endangered.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Save Our Monarchs)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loss of habitat is the main reason these species are endangered. Additionally, pesticides, herbicides, and poor land management practices also led to the loss of the butterfly&#8217;s host plant, their primary food source.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='13-the-overall-number-of-moths-in-the-uk-has-declined-by-28-since-1968'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13. The overall number of moths in the UK has declined by 28% since 1968.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Butterfly Conservation)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect decline<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most severe in southern Britain. The moth population has declined by 40%, and some moth species that were previously common have now become rare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, more than 60 moth species had disappeared entirely over the 20th century.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='14-36-of-the-39-dragonfly-species-are-in-decline'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14. 36% of the 39 dragonfly species are in decline.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(BTO)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists in the UK have collected data that shows that habitat destruction (fewer ponds where dragonflies spend 95% of their lives) and global warming are endangering the survival of one-third of the dragonfly species in Britain.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='insect-population-growth'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect Population Growth<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With humanity&#8217;s growing ecological footprint, there has been a rise in some insect species. Unfortunately, the change in the environmental conditions has led to the population growth of insects that are harmful to trees, crops, people, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='15-there-are-more-than-110-trillion-mosquitoes-in-the-world'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15. There are more than 110 trillion mosquitoes in the world.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Vox)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mosquitoes are notorious for spreading numerous diseases, such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue. And their number is increasing due to climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, mosquitoes follow people wherever they go. So with the rise in the global temperature, people are moving further north, which in turn increases the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bug population<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='16-less-than-30-asian-hornets-can-wipe-out-a-30000-honeybee-colony-in-hours'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16. Less than 30 Asian hornets can wipe out a 30,000-honeybee colony in hours.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(AgriLife Today)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world\u2019s largest hornet is native to Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. It first appeared in the US in 2019. Besides being dangerous to people, they\u2019re also deadly to honeybees.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='17-are-insect-populations-declining'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are insect populations declining?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all insect populations are declining. Unfortunately, pollinators like butterflies and bees are currently dying out. The insect species that are considered pests \u2014 like beetles and stink bugs \u2014 are increasing in numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='18-are-the-insects-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are the insects dying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Sadly, yes. And at this rate, they could all disappear in just one century.<\/p>\n<h3 id='19-how-many-insects-are-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many insects are dying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So far, 40% of the overall insect species have seen a decline in numbers. Moreover, It\u2019s estimated that 40% of the 30 million insect species on Earth are in danger of becoming extinct.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='20-what-happened-to-all-the-insects'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happened to all the insects?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change is responsible for most insect species dying out or being on the verge of extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='21-why-are-bugs-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are bugs dying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bugs have been disappearing due to intensive agriculture, the widespread use of dangerous chemicals, and loss of habitat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='22-how-fast-are-insects-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How fast are insects dying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insects are dying eight times faster than mammals, reptiles, and birds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='23-what-happens-if-all-the-insects-died'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens if all the insects died?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without insects, the world would collapse due to starvation. Even though they seem like annoying little creatures, 80% of them provide the world with food.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='24-what-would-happen-if-the-population-of-insects-decreased'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What would happen if the population of insects decreased?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The population of insects has already reduced, which has caused a significant decline in other species, as well, since many animals feed on insects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='25-why-are-pollinators-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are pollinators dying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pollinators are dying out mainly due to the pesticides and insecticides that plants absorb. Pollinators feed on the toxic plants, which causes them to die.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other reasons include air and water pollution and climate change, habitat destruction, and competition between native and invasive or introduced insect species.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='26-what-is-the-current-human-to-bug-ratio'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the current human-to-bug ratio?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s estimated that there are 200 million insects for every human on the planet. This also means that there are approximately 300 pounds of insects for every pound of humans.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='the-bottom-line'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proof is in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insect population statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 these little creatures keep the world turning. From providing food to being food, they\u2019re one of the main parts of the global ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This list shows just how essential insects are and how people are destroying the world with deforestation, pollution, invasive agriculture, and other harmful activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By saving insects, we\u2019re saving other living beings, too, including ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='sources'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/agrilifetoday.tamu.edu\/2020\/05\/11\/get-to-know-the-asian-giant-hornet-or-murder-hornet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AgriLife Today<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bto.org\/our-science\/projects\/gbw\/gardens-wildlife\/garden-invertebrates\/dragonflies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BTO<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/butterfly-conservation.org\/moths\/why-moths-matter\/moths-in-decline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Butterfly Conservation<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/climate-change\/climate-change-kills-98-insects-in-puerto-rico-s-rainforest-study-61904\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DownToEarth<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.entsoc.org\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/Science-Policy\/ESA-PolicyStatement-Endangered-Species.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ENTSOC<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/2019\/02\/why-insect-populations-are-plummeting-and-why-it-matters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Geographic<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/2019\/08\/insect-apocalypse-under-way-toxic-pesticides-agriculture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Geographic<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/science\/environment\/where-have-all-ladybugs-gone-scientists-worry-non-pest-insect-n911606\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NBC News<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news.com.au\/technology\/science\/animals\/what-we-can-do-about-insect-annihilation-and-its-threat-to-earth\/news-story\/9badceda94bfa5493072fc22cce0f376\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">News.com.au<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/115\/44\/E10397\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PNAS<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0220029\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PLOS One<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saveourmonarchs.org\/blog\/10-endangered-butterflies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Save Our Monarchs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/as-insect-populations-decline-scientists-are-trying-to-understand-why\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientific American<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theecologist.org\/2019\/may\/01\/agriculture-and-insects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ecologist<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2019\/feb\/10\/plummeting-insect-numbers-threaten-collapse-of-nature\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Guardian<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/the-highlight\/2019\/8\/13\/20754834\/mosquitoes-blood-type-zika-dengue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vox<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/xerces.org\/press\/western-monarch-butterflies-continue-to-decline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xerces Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are insect populations declining?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Not all insect populations are declining. Unfortunately, pollinators like butterflies and bees are currently dying out. The insect species that are considered pests \u2014 like beetles and stink bugs \u2014 are increasing in numbers.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are the insects dying?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Sadly, yes. And at this rate, they could all disappear in just one century.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What happened to all the insects?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Climate change is responsible for most insect species dying out or being on the verge of extinction.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why are bugs dying?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Bugs have been disappearing due to intensive agriculture, the widespread use of dangerous chemicals, and loss of habitat.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How fast are insects dying?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Insects are dying eight times faster than mammals, reptiles, and birds.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What happens if all the insects died?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Without insects, the world would collapse due to starvation. Even though they seem like annoying little creatures, 80% of them provide the world with food.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What would happen if the population of insects decreased?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The population of insects has already reduced, which has caused a significant decline in other species, as well, since many animals feed on insects.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why are pollinators dying?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Pollinators are dying out mainly due to the pesticides and insecticides that plants absorb. Pollinators feed on the toxic plants, which causes them to die.\\n\\nOther reasons include air and water pollution and climate change, habitat destruction, and competition between native and invasive or introduced insect species.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the current human-to-bug ratio?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It\u2019s estimated that there are 200 million insects for every human on the planet. This also means that there are approximately 300 pounds of insects for every pound of humans.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What do the 2022 insect population statistics say and how they affect not only the environment but us? There&#8217;s much to learn, continue reading. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/insect-population-statistics\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from 27 Fascinating Insect Population Statistics (2024 UPDATE)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1487,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1486"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1486\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}