The Insect Apocalypse Is Here

[SummerMadness]

The Insect Apocalypse Is Here

In the United States, scientists recently found the population of monarch butterflies fell by 90 percent in the last 20 years, a loss of 900 million individuals; the rusty-patched bumblebee, which once lived in 28 states, dropped by 87 percent over the same period. With other, less-studied insect species, one butterfly researcher told me, “all we can do is wave our arms and say, ‘It’s not here anymore!’ ” Still, the most disquieting thing wasn’t the disappearance of certain species of insects; it was the deeper worry, shared by Riis and many others, that a whole insect world might be quietly going missing, a loss of abundance that could alter the planet in unknowable ways.

Rob Dunn, an ecologist at North Carolina State University who helped design the net experiment in Denmark, recently searched for studies showing the effect of pesticide spraying on the quantity of insects living in nearby forests. He was surprised to find that no such studies existed. “We ignored really basic questions,” he said. “It feels like we’ve dropped the ball in some giant collective way.”

This is something I noticed years ago, there were far fewer bees and bugs around in general. Additionally, the types of bugs you see more of around your home has changed a lot too.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

I am confident that the diligent scientists at Monsanto have a plan to save us all.

 

[LaSorcia]

The Insect Apocalypse Is Here

This is something I noticed years ago, there were far fewer bees and bugs around in general. Additionally, the types of bugs you see more of around your home has changed a lot too.

Fewer birds as well. About 10 years ago, all the purple and house finches in my area suddenly disappeared. In the past year or so, I've seen the odd one here and there. I hope their population is coming back.

The migratory species have decreased as well. I used to see indigo buntings; now I pretty much only see Canada geese.

 

[SummerMadness]

Fewer birds as well. About 10 years ago, all the purple and house finches in my area suddenly disappeared. In the past year or so, I've seen the odd one here and there. I hope their population is coming back.

The migratory species have decreased as well. I used to see indigo buntings; now I pretty much only see Canada geese.

They mention the decline in bird populations in the article. One hypothesis is that many of the insect-eating birds are not disappearing due to habitat loss, but starving due to the decline in insect populations.

 

[Rescued One]

My neighbor uses Round-up and I have concerns about our well water. There should be warnings on all pesticides and weed killers, IMO.

 

[Tanj]

I am confident that the diligent scientists at Monsanto have a plan to save us all.

Round Up Ready Insects(tm)

 

[Aryeh Jay]

They mention the decline in bird populations in the article. One hypothesis is that many of the insect-eating birds are not disappearing due to habitat loss, but starving due to the decline in insect populations.

The decline in insect population could be responsible for the bird issue, but where I am in Michigan, it is the European Starling that drove all the bluebirds and purple martins away.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Round Up Ready Insects(tm)

I was thinking of better genetically modified vegetables that do not require pesky bugs to pollinate. A perfect scientifically prepared food.

 

[Tanj]

I was thinking of better genetically modified vegetables that do not require pesky bugs to pollinate. A perfect scientifically prepared food.

Well ironically a potential future source of food is insect protein.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Well ironically a potential future source of food is insect protein.

I am hoping for Soylent Green.

 

[jacknife]

I use to see praying manteses all the time, use to make a game out of it as a kid. Its now been 2 years since ive seen one in my area, never good to stop seeing predators.