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How insects make the world a better place for us Eight things insects – those unsung heroes – do for us
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If you ask the average person what their favourite insect is, chances are you may not receive an enthusiastic response. Insects are not necessarily something we are expected to have an opinion on, let alone a favourite. They are often lumped together as one entity, “bugs”, and are regularly overlooked, or considered a pest (which of course they can be).If you ask the average person what their favourite insect is, chances are you may not receive an enthusiastic response. Insects are not necessarily something we are expected to have an opinion on, let alone a favourite. They are often lumped together as one entity, “bugs”, and are regularly overlooked, or considered a pest (which of course they can be).
In many ways, however, this is extremely surprising. We have over 20,000 species of insect in the UK. They come in all sorts of wonderful shapes and sizes, with distinct characters, traits and glorious life histories.In many ways, however, this is extremely surprising. We have over 20,000 species of insect in the UK. They come in all sorts of wonderful shapes and sizes, with distinct characters, traits and glorious life histories.
In an attempt to give insects the attention they deserve, the Royal Society of Biology has created a poll of 10 UK insects to find the UK’s favourite.In an attempt to give insects the attention they deserve, the Royal Society of Biology has created a poll of 10 UK insects to find the UK’s favourite.
Unfortunately, insect numbers are declining steeply and some species are disappearing altogether. Given the importance of insects to ecosystems in the UK, this is very worrying.Unfortunately, insect numbers are declining steeply and some species are disappearing altogether. Given the importance of insects to ecosystems in the UK, this is very worrying.
You may be wondering what have insects ever done for us? Here is a list of the critical services that they provide.You may be wondering what have insects ever done for us? Here is a list of the critical services that they provide.
PollinationPollination
There are a number of ways that plant species go about the important business of pollination, an act essential for reproduction in most plants. They can use the wind, or direct contact with flowers, but perhaps the niftiest way is to use a willing insect courier, duly rewarded with a shot of sweet nectar. Around 80% of UK plants are pollinated by insects, including a large number of our crops. It has been estimated that the value of insect-pollinated fruits and vegetables grown in the UK is about £220m a year.There are a number of ways that plant species go about the important business of pollination, an act essential for reproduction in most plants. They can use the wind, or direct contact with flowers, but perhaps the niftiest way is to use a willing insect courier, duly rewarded with a shot of sweet nectar. Around 80% of UK plants are pollinated by insects, including a large number of our crops. It has been estimated that the value of insect-pollinated fruits and vegetables grown in the UK is about £220m a year.
DecomposersDecomposers
Many insects love mess, or more specifically, getting stuck in and clearing it up. One of the important and unnoticed roles that insects play is to break down and decompose organic matter. Insects that carry out this role are collectively referred to as saprophages (from the Greek words “sapros” meaning rotten and “phagein” meaning to eat). They feed on dead plant tissues, dead animals, and the excrement of other animals. They may not have the most glamorous of roles, but our decomposers are unsung heroes of recycling, turning dead organic matter and waste back into usable forms.Many insects love mess, or more specifically, getting stuck in and clearing it up. One of the important and unnoticed roles that insects play is to break down and decompose organic matter. Insects that carry out this role are collectively referred to as saprophages (from the Greek words “sapros” meaning rotten and “phagein” meaning to eat). They feed on dead plant tissues, dead animals, and the excrement of other animals. They may not have the most glamorous of roles, but our decomposers are unsung heroes of recycling, turning dead organic matter and waste back into usable forms.
Biological controlBiological control
Life can be full of hurt as an invertebrate. All insects are susceptible to being eaten by either another insect or something bigger. It is an insect-eat-insect world out there, but this can be of real use to humans too. Biological control of pests is big business, estimated to be worth $4.5bn a year in the USA alone. The conservation of natural enemies is probably the most important biological control practice available to growers and means that the use of potentially damaging chemical pesticides can be avoided.Life can be full of hurt as an invertebrate. All insects are susceptible to being eaten by either another insect or something bigger. It is an insect-eat-insect world out there, but this can be of real use to humans too. Biological control of pests is big business, estimated to be worth $4.5bn a year in the USA alone. The conservation of natural enemies is probably the most important biological control practice available to growers and means that the use of potentially damaging chemical pesticides can be avoided.
Food for animalsFood for animals
We may not look at insects and instantly lick our lips, but for many animal species, insects constitute the majority of their diet. Insects are often at the bottom of the food chain, so if they were removed, this would cause ecosystems to collapse. Numerous UK birds, mammals and fish are insectivorous, including all 17 of our native bat species.We may not look at insects and instantly lick our lips, but for many animal species, insects constitute the majority of their diet. Insects are often at the bottom of the food chain, so if they were removed, this would cause ecosystems to collapse. Numerous UK birds, mammals and fish are insectivorous, including all 17 of our native bat species.
Food for humansFood for humans
I don’t like crickets, I love them – especially with a sweet and sour dip. And I am not alone. Around two billion people eat insects as part of their regular diet, and 80% of countries around the world consider insects as a “normal” source of food. And with good reason: they are packed full of protein, vitamins and minerals.I don’t like crickets, I love them – especially with a sweet and sour dip. And I am not alone. Around two billion people eat insects as part of their regular diet, and 80% of countries around the world consider insects as a “normal” source of food. And with good reason: they are packed full of protein, vitamins and minerals.
Insects can be sustainably farmed, and if you know what you are doing they can be absolutely delicious. Once seen as a novelty in Europe, insects are now being taken very seriously as a source of human food by the European Commission. It has been estimated that by 2020 the value of the insect food industry could reach over £230m.Insects can be sustainably farmed, and if you know what you are doing they can be absolutely delicious. Once seen as a novelty in Europe, insects are now being taken very seriously as a source of human food by the European Commission. It has been estimated that by 2020 the value of the insect food industry could reach over £230m.
Crime fightingCrime fighting
Before you conjure up images of insects busting bad guys on the streets, akin to Marvel’s Ant-Man, I should stress it is forensic entomologists and their expert knowledge that is really bringing criminals to justice. Many insects are attracted to decomposing bodies and will lay eggs in them. By studying their populations and the developing larval stages, scientists can deduce the postmortem interval, changes in position of the corpse and the cause of death itself.Before you conjure up images of insects busting bad guys on the streets, akin to Marvel’s Ant-Man, I should stress it is forensic entomologists and their expert knowledge that is really bringing criminals to justice. Many insects are attracted to decomposing bodies and will lay eggs in them. By studying their populations and the developing larval stages, scientists can deduce the postmortem interval, changes in position of the corpse and the cause of death itself.
Environmental indicatorsEnvironmental indicators
Many insect species are highly susceptible to changes in the environment. This sadly makes them vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change, but it also makes them very useful as bio-indicators. By carefully monitoring changes in insect populations, ecologists can measure the impact of disturbance and take steps to mitigate changes that may not have been initially apparent within other species. Butterflies are recognised as valuable environmental indicators, and representatives for the diversity and responses of other wildlife. Many aquatic invertebrates, such as caddisflies, are also important indicators of the quality of our waterways.Many insect species are highly susceptible to changes in the environment. This sadly makes them vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change, but it also makes them very useful as bio-indicators. By carefully monitoring changes in insect populations, ecologists can measure the impact of disturbance and take steps to mitigate changes that may not have been initially apparent within other species. Butterflies are recognised as valuable environmental indicators, and representatives for the diversity and responses of other wildlife. Many aquatic invertebrates, such as caddisflies, are also important indicators of the quality of our waterways.
EntertainmentEntertainment
More so than perhaps any other group of animals, insects richly reward the efforts of those that spend time observing them. The ubiquitous nature of insects and their extreme diversity in form and character means they have the potential to bring almost endless fascination to those willing to give them time and due attention. You are never far away from one insect or another, and if you are willing to momentarily shrink your perspective to consider them on their terms and scale, then a world of drama is yours to enjoy.More so than perhaps any other group of animals, insects richly reward the efforts of those that spend time observing them. The ubiquitous nature of insects and their extreme diversity in form and character means they have the potential to bring almost endless fascination to those willing to give them time and due attention. You are never far away from one insect or another, and if you are willing to momentarily shrink your perspective to consider them on their terms and scale, then a world of drama is yours to enjoy.