Insect Decline and Ecosystem Welfare

Declining insect populations threaten ecosystems that billions of animals depend on. Understanding the welfare implications of insect decline requires thinking beyond individual animals to systemic effects.

Key Facts

Insect populations have declined by up to 75% by biomass in some regions over the past 30 years.
Pesticides, habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change are the primary drivers of insect decline.
Insects are foundational to food webs: birds, bats, fish, and amphibians depend heavily on insect prey.
Pollinator decline directly affects plant reproduction and the availability of fruits, seeds, and nuts for wildlife.
Some invertebrate species may be sentient; their decline at massive scale raises welfare questions of its own.
Recovery of insect populations is possible through habitat restoration, pesticide reduction, and light pollution management.

Welfare Considerations

Insect decline has cascading welfare effects throughout ecosystems. Birds that cannot find enough insect prey raise fewer chicks; bats lose foraging opportunities; fish populations decline without aquatic insect larvae. At a systemic level, insect decline is a welfare catastrophe for countless vertebrate animals whose wellbeing depends on insect availability. Whether insects themselves can suffer remains debated, but the welfare of the animals that depend on them is beyond question. Addressing insect decline is both a conservation and an animal welfare imperative.

What You Can Do

Reduce or eliminate pesticide use in your garden; choose integrated pest management instead.
Plant native wildflowers and allow areas of your garden to grow wild to support insect habitat.
Reduce outdoor artificial light at night to protect night-flying insects.
Support campaigns to reduce agricultural pesticide use and establish pesticide-free buffer zones.
Advocate for stronger habitat protections that maintain insect-supporting vegetation.