They crawl across the ground, move in the water or fly buzzing through the air. Trillions of them live almost unnoticed among us. But once they are gone, we notice the enormous loss. Insect mortality: a serious problem with drastic consequences.
Insects are the most diverse and numerous inhabitants of our planet. Over a million species of insects inhabit the earth together with us - and they make up around two thirds of all species! The tiniest of them are barely millimetres in size, the longest measure a good half metre. In the insect world, there are inconspicuous specimens as well as enchantingly beautiful ones, such as butterflies, but also less likeable representatives such as the marbled tree bug, which is currently spreading in Europe and has no predators here. Insects are herbivores or exceptionally good hunters - whether they spin webs or attack their prey at lightning speed, as praying mantises do, makes little difference.
In addition to solitary insects, there are many state-forming insects with complex social structures that we still do not fully understand. These include ants, but also wasps or bees. We hardly notice most insects unless we "use" them, as in the case of commercially kept bee colonies. Therefore, it has taken far too long for the dramatic decline of the insect world to reach the public's awareness. Because the insect population is declining. In Germany, for example, three quarters (!) of the insect biomass has disappeared in the last 25 years. Whole species are severely endangered - including many butterflies and wild bees. Insect mortality is in full swing.
What does insect mortality mean?
Organisations such as the WWF and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union have been drawing attention to the decline of the six-legged inhabitants for some time. Insect mortality has consequences for all of us. On the one hand, insects are pollinators, without which agriculture would not survive, but they are also an important part of the biosphere, as they remove decaying plants and carrion and loosen soils. At least as important is the fact that there are animal species, especially bird species, that will also become extinct as insects disappear. What is worrying is that insect mortality is affecting ALL species. The reasons are not difficult to discern.
What causes insect death?
Long-term studies have shown that there is a direct link between land or forest use and insect mortality. Heavily cultivated, fertilised areas treated with pesticides or herbicides mean death - especially for insects that do not travel long distances. The "homebodies" also suffer when they can colonise a relatively untouched area in the middle of heavily used cultivated land. Everywhere, insects lack places of retreat: fallow land, meadows with wildflowers or simply the field margins as they used to be known, hedgerows and orchards allow insects to find sites and food. Industrial mowing, possibly on huge areas at the same time, contributes to mass extinction. Besides insects, small mammals are also among the victims, as are birds.
Our cities are hostile to life - especially for insects
Even in urban areas, death awaits most insects. Sealed soils, gardens with imported plant species that do not provide insects with food, unused meadows or open water areas - and above all constant lighting! The light sources disturb the insects' rhythm of life, make them fly around until they are exhausted or are so hot that the small creatures burn to death from them.
Why are insects so important?
We literally cannot afford to do without insects. As pollinators in agriculture alone, insects provide an annual service that amounts to more than 14 billion euros for Europe alone! Without insects or insect diversity, we too would be at a disadvantage. Not only would we have to do without fruit or vegetables, but many flowering plants and trees are also dependent on the "work" of insects - entire biotopes would become impoverished, and the complex logistics of the food chain would also collapse. After all, numerous species of birds and fish feed on insects.
Need for action on insect protection
The extent to which agriculture contributes to insect mortality can be seen in the example of Germany. But one can hardly deprive farmers of their livelihoods. Therefore, any strategy to save the insects must start with the farmers. The German Farmers' Association itself relies on the establishment of flowering and fallow strips. But the use of insecticides and herbicides must also be restricted as quickly as possible next . While France has already banned the highly toxic neonicotinoids, Germany is still arguing about glyphosate, a poison that not only insidiously kills animals and plants but also humans. Experts concede, however, that a ban alone is not enough. The fear is that farmers will then reach into the poison cupboard again - and possibly into more dangerous substances.
First steps are already being taken
There are already isolated approaches to protect biodiversity and thus also insects. Swiss farmers have understood that biodiversity also offers protection against diseases and pests. Prudent agriculture can promote biodiversity by opening up areas and cultivating numerous species. This approach is opposed to industrialised agriculture with its exploited soils and streamlined, species-poor livestock. But the supporters of sustainable agriculture are quite successful, and they are growing in number.
Each of us can make a contribution
Although at NIKIN we are mainly concerned with sustainable materials in the fashion industry and fighting against global deforestation, it is important to think sustainably in other areas of life as well. We want to motivate people to rethink their lifestyle and possibly make it more sustainable. In our blogs, however, we do not only talk about the above-mentioned topics, but also about various other interesting aspects of nature - in this blog we talk about the global insect extinction. With minimal changes in our lifestyles and consumption habits and more mindfulness, we can all help to protect the insects that are so important to us in the way they deserve and we need!
