Insects

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

North America

Tools & Apps

Europe

Ireland

UK

Northern Ireland

Organizations

North America

Canada

Maps

International

Europe

UK

North America