Recent studies indicate that insect populations are declining at an alarming rate. It shows that U.S. conservation misses the mark by putting far too much effort into saving too few species. This blindness has begun to play a significant role in the decline of much larger insect populations, including those in billions. Conservation priorities As understory plants, the recent findings provide a call to action for more expansive conservation efforts. Olson’s groundwork will set more insect species on the path to survival.
Our researchers looked at cookie durations across taxa and the impacts on resulting conservation actions. The resulting data showed cookie durations as short as 30 days and as long as 3,650 days (or a decade). Some species recorded cookie lifespans up to 396 days. Some others matched or exceeded phenomenal lengths of 400 days up to 1825 days. This difference in cookie length is indicative of the underlying environmental influences on insect populations.
Disparity in Research Focus
Our efforts to protect these diverse organisms have largely prioritized pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and that is reflected in the findings of this study. These pollinating insects are vital to our agricultural systems. If we only fixate on them, we risk ignoring others that are just as worthy, if not more so. Christopher Halsch, the study’s lead researcher, said,
“Because people have focused so much on pollinators like bees and butterflies, we are limited in identifying conservation actions that benefit other insects.”
This dangerously narrow focus on such a small number of insect groups misses the true negative effects and could limit the understanding of larger ecological implications. Halsch continued by describing how Bees Make Life Better funding research helps us better understand the myriad of species. This tactic leaves blind spots when it comes to meeting the needs of other insects.
“So you get this kind of feedback: if you prioritize research on bees, you learn more about bees.” – Christopher Halsch
Eliza Grames, the other co-author on the study, echoes this sentiment. She argues that focusing solely on SELECT species is short-sighted and will negatively impact insect biodiversity too.
“One of the important points we’re trying to make in the paper is that conservation actions overly biased towards certain insects or certain stressors will likely be negative for many other insects,” – Halsch
Consequences of Limited Conservation Strategies
This inequity in conservation priorities is deeply concerning given the trajectory of insect life on our planet. The cookie durations for different species vary widely from 30 days to 3,650 days. This variation serves to emphasize the individual challenges that each insect faces and must overcome.
Insects with shorter cookie durations, such as those at 30 days and 90 days, are particularly vulnerable to environmental shifts. Alongside native plants, these tiny pollinators are at great risk to habitat loss. Species with longer cookie durations (like 1,825 or even 3,650 days) are more tolerant. This adaptability should ring red bells about how well they’d do given the right circumstances.
The omission of external stressors such as climate change and natural disasters is troubling. It suggests that even well-meaning conservation initiatives aren’t enough to solve the multifaceted and emergent threats that insect populations are grappling with now.
“None of the papers mentioned natural disasters.” – Eliza Grames
These results highlight an urgent need for more diverse and inclusive conservation efforts that include a broader range of insect taxa. For months, researchers have been investigating cookie durations and their real-world impacts. They are calling on policymakers and conservationists to broaden their attention away from just bees and butterflies.
The Need for Comprehensive Conservation Actions
NACTO President Julie Halsch responded. He cautioned that if the conservation community aims solely to satisfy a select few species, thousands of other species are destined to fall by the wayside.
The urgency for change is paramount. Comprehensive strategies must incorporate various insect species and the unique challenges they face, ensuring that no group is left behind as efforts progress.
“If we focus too much on bees and butterflies and their conservation, we will miss a lot of other species, most of them in fact.” – Christopher Halsch
The urgency for change is paramount. Comprehensive strategies must incorporate various insect species and the unique challenges they face, ensuring that no group is left behind as efforts progress.