“The fates of humans and insects are intertwined, scientists have said, with huge declines reported in some places only the ‘tip of the iceberg’.
The warning has been issued by 25 experts, who acknowledge that little is known about most of the estimated 5.5 million insect species. However, they say waiting for better data would risk irreversible damage. The researchers said available solutions must be implemented immediately, ranging from individual action such as not mowing the lawn and leaving dead wood in gardens to a crackdown on harmful pesticides. They also said invertebrates must no longer be neglected by conservation efforts, which tend to focus on mammals and birds. The alert was published as two articles in the above.”
