Insects don’t often get the attention of, say bears, or big cats, or wolves, but they make up a huge percentage of all known living species. So far, more a million different insect species have been documented, but experts estimate that the true number is much higher. The fact of the matter is that we just don’t know exactly how many different types of insects there are.
What we do know is that insects play several essential roles in our ecosystems. We also are beginning to realize that insect numbers are declining, perhaps drastically. Where we once used to take ants, and flies, and bees, and moths, and countless other types of insects for granted, we’re beginning to notice their absence.
Terra Verde host and Earth Island Journal Managing Editor Zoe Loftus-Farren talks with Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species and aquatic programs at the Xerces Society, and Tara Cornelisse, senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity to explore just how important insects are to our ecosystems, recent population declines, and what we do to help insects rebound.