Wild Insect Population Decline and Welfare

Wild insect populations have declined by up to 75% in some regions over recent decades — a collapse with profound welfare and ecological implications at massive scale.

Key Facts

A landmark 2017 study found flying insect biomass in German nature reserves had declined by over 75% since 1989.
Pesticide use — particularly neonicotinoids — is the primary driver of pollinator and beneficial insect decline.
Habitat loss and light pollution compound pesticide effects on insect populations across agricultural landscapes.
If insects have some capacity for suffering, their population decline represents welfare losses at almost incomprehensible scale.
Insect decline threatens ecosystem services including pollination, nutrient cycling, and food web support for birds and mammals.

Welfare Considerations

The welfare significance of insect population collapse depends on the contested question of insect sentience. If insects have any capacity for suffering — suggested by pain-avoidance behaviour and nociceptor presence in some species — then the deaths of trillions of insects from pesticide exposure and habitat loss represent a welfare catastrophe of enormous scale. Even under significant uncertainty about insect sentience, the precautionary principle and the sheer scale of mortality argue for taking insect welfare seriously as a consideration in land management decisions.

What You Can Do

Eliminate neonicotinoid and other systemic pesticide use in gardens and support bans on agricultural use.
Create insect habitat through wildflower planting, log piles, and reduced mowing regimes.
Support organic farming and integrated pest management practices that reduce insecticide dependence.
Learn about the evidence for insect sentience and engage thoughtfully with the ethical implications of their decline.