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Insect apocalypse: a threat to all life on the planet?
New study finds that 41% of insect species face extinction

November 18, 2019 - from The Week :

"A consistent decline in insect species as a result of habitat loss and pesticide overuse poses a risk to all life on Earth, a leading environmental scientist has warned."

"In a newly published report titled “Insect declines and why they matter”, Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex warns that insects are dying out up to eight times faster than larger animals, with 41% of insect species facing extinction."

"According to scientific estimates, insects make up the bulk of animal life, by mass and by numbers, with more than 5.5 million insect species."

"But a series of recent studies have warned of significant drops in insect populations. "

"The new report from Goulson states that 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the last century. And UK butterflies that specialise in particular habitats have fallen by 77% since the mid-1970s."

"The decline of bees poses a particularly significant threat."

"Urgent action is needed to boost insect populations, including putting an end to routine and unnecessary use of pesticides and increasing efforts to create insect-friendly landscapes."