Insects
Table of Contents
Introduction
Insects include any bugs with 6 legs including beetles, flies, dragon flies, stick insects, fireflies, and ants.
Threats to Insects
The following haven't yet been organized by level of impact, but are among the top listed by scientists.
Deforestation
Insecticide Use
Light Pollution
Climate Change
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major contributor to climate change, but different types of air pollution can also have direct impact on insect, their ability to reproduce, and even their food, as certain pollutants or the acid rain they create can kill off important plants.
Transit & Energy
These make up the majority of green house gases. Reducing transit emissions, industry emissions, and emissions associated with buildings (mostly for heating and cooling), we can greatly reduce our contributions toward climate change.
Solutions
Take Extinction Off Your Plate
Learn about the biggest causes of deforestation so you can strategically change how you eat, shop, (and if applicable, how you grow food) to reduce of even help reverse deforestation rates.
Let There Be Dark
Reducing light pollution by turning off unnecessary lights, turning light down as well as pointing them downward, covering windows at night, and putting outdoor lights on timers or motion detectors can help protect humans as well as wildlife.
Wildlife-Friendly Gardens & Landscaping
Gardening without pesticides, or heavy gas-powered equipment should be your first step. Wildlife isn't tidy and curated like gardens often are these days, but if you can't leave large areas wild, at least make some bug-friendly spaces such as leaf and stick piles. Plant natives, and try to eliminate invasive plants.
Pollinator Gardens
These specifically focus on providing plenty of native plants, pollen, and other pollinator-friendly features.
Water Gardens
You might not immediately think about water when you think about insects, but these can be havens for important species such as dragonflies, who prey on smaller insects including mosquitos. Even a tiny water garden can be a vital ecosystem for our dazzling friends.
Citizen Science
Check out our Citizen Science page to see what programs you can support in you area, or internationally. Citizen Science is a fun way to help science help our plant.
Resources & Guides
Using A Sweep Net by Texas Junior Naturalists offers practical information including links to bug guides by Order.
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."
Tools & Apps
Europe
Ireland
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
UK
Northern Ireland
CEDaR (Center for Environmental Data and Recording) Online Recording Click the link to see what projects are available. They have specific links for Owls, Butterflies, Marine, Invasive Species, Lady Birds and more! Some of the links will take you to projects for specific regions including the Ring of Gullion and Belfast Hills.
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
Organizations
North America
Canada
Pollinator Partnership Canada " is a registered charity dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems through conservation, education, and research."
Maps
International
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Europe
UK
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."