without insects no life Chantal Kaufmann

Chantal Kaufmann

Insects might be small, but their role in our planet’s ecosystems is mighty. They touch every part of our environment, from pollination and food webs to nutrient cycling and even climate regulation. Their vital work supports biodiversity and keeps our ecosystems running smoothly, which is why understanding and preserving their roles is essential.

the insect epiphany

The Insect Epiphany is a buzz-worthy book by a leading entomologist on how insects are needed as pollinators, predators and prey and how they play an often overlooked role in our culture. Their anatomy and habitats inform how we live, build, create and take flight.

If growing plants and flowers to attract beneficial insects, learn how to make your garden safe for pets.

Insects surround us, and fuel life as pollinators, predators and prey, and this book looks at how they benefit the world, with 250 colour images from ancient etchings to modern art, to inspire.

All around us, these marvellous little beings exhibit every form, colour and behaviour imaginable. Our very existence depends on the insects around us. They provide ecological services by pollinating, decomposing and feeding others, without which ecosystems would crumble.

Barrett Klein studied entomology at Cornell University and University of Arizona, and also received a Ph.D at University of Texas. He is one of the world’s experts on insects! His passion is to transform the minds of those who squish insects with a shoe, to recognise insects as amazing organisms that do vast amounts of good for the planet.

The Role of Insects in Pollination

respect the insect

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When it comes to pollination, insects are the unsung heroes of the natural world. Without them, many plants wouldn’t be able to reproduce, and our diets would lack much of the variety we enjoy today.

Bees and butterflies, among other insect pollinators, play an indispensable part in agriculture. This pollination service boosts crop yields and enhances food production. To put it into perspective, approximately 75% of the world’s flowering plants rely on animal pollination, including about 35% of the global food crop output.

The economic fruits of this service can’t be overstated, contributing billions to the agricultural industry each year. Imagine a world without these buzzing workers; food prices would skyrocket, and availability would plummet.

Insects are critical in maintaining plant diversity within ecosystems. Through effective pollination, they ensure the continual flowering and seeding of Earth’s plant life. This biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems, as it supports various life forms, from tiny microorganisms to the towering trees. When insects do their job, they help sustain the plants that form the bedrock of life on Earth.

Insects as Decomposers

Insects like beetles, ladybirds and termites are nature’s recyclers. They break down dead plants and animals, returning vital nutrients to the soil. This recycling process enriches the soil, promoting plant growth. Without these insects, nutrient cycling would slow dramatically, affecting plant health and, by extension, the entire ecosystem.

The busy activities of insects, such as ants and earthworms, naturally aerate the soil. They tunnel through dirt, creating passageways that allow air and water to penetrate, improving soil structure. This aeration helps plant roots to access the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Insects as Food Sources

Predatory insects like ladybirds and praying mantises help control pest populations. By feasting on harmful insects, they reduce the need for chemical pesticides and help maintain a balanced ecosystem. These natural pest controllers are invaluable, especially in farming, where they support the growth of healthy crops.

Many animals rely on insects as a primary food source, from birds and bats to amphibians and small mammals. Insect populations directly influence the survival of these insectivores. For instance, a healthy population of mosquitoes and flies can support birds such as swallows, while ants provide essential nutrition to various lizards and mammals.

Insects and Climate Regulation

respect the insect

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Insects contribute to carbon sequestration by aiding in the breakdown of organic matter and assisting in soil formation. When they decompose plant material, they help trap carbon in the soil, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. This process is a small yet vital part of slowing climate change.

Insects also affect local climates by modifying their habitats. For instance, leaf-cutting ants clear spaces that allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging undergrowth. This activity creates microclimates that can support diverse species, showing just how intertwined insects are with their environment.

Myths That ‘Eating Insects’ Will Save the Planet

Recent there has been a surge of companies claiming that to replace meat with insects, is the way to stop climate change caused by livestock farming. Aside from the fact that it’s just as cruel, it’s not true. Insects are already eaten in their millions across the world, and it hasn’t made any difference.

This is because the main argument in switching to plant foods is that you can feed far more people on land grown for crops, than for livestock. But most insects eat more than they produce, so you then need to provide food for them, until killed.

The reason that people are starving is because nearly all the world’s land is used for animal feed. If we ate crops instead, then that land could be used to feed people, then the ‘insect answer’ would not be needed anyway.

Plus we know already that insects are sentient beings (bees show each other where the nectar is with a ‘waggle dance’ and ants carry ‘wounded soldiers’ back to the nest, to nurse them back to health). Do we really want to create ‘insect factory farms’ in return?

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