Two academic papers are under review concerning the apparent decline in the insect population in Australia. Tim.R.New’s work provided a global overview of the needs and priorities of Australian Native insects.

Don.P.A.Sands, reports in Australian Entomology about important issues facing insect conservation in Australia now and in the future.

The intricate interactions between insects, birds, animals and humans cannot be underestimated.  

Insects are critical for the pollination of many of our native and cultivated flowering and edible plants and trees, including fruit and nut trees.

Australia has between 84,000 and 140,000 insect species of which 75% have not yet been described.

The major threats to insect biodiversity are habitat loss through the agricultural and urban clearing of native vegetation, invasion by non-native weeds, habitat fragmentation, loss of corridors between patches of native vegetation, inappropriate fire regimes, trampling by stock, feral animals and exotic pests.

Echidnas’ diets are comprised mostly of insects.  

Hoverflies are just one example of native insect species who like bees polinate many plants – and they also help control pesky aphids.

Retention of native vegetation as refuges for insects is known to contribute to environmentally clean pest control, so retention of native vegetation can help the farmer and the insects birds and animals.

Save Our Woodlands aims to encourage all landholders to retain their woodland areas and thus help the decline in our insect species.

When we fail to consider the important interactions of insects in the natural environment this adds to the decline of multiple species of not just insects but for example birds.

These two studies emphasize the ecological value in cities, of remnant native habitats which bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths frequent.

Beetles are more frequent in urban areas possibly because of a lack of native predators. Large parks, gardens and hedgerows account for the greatest insect diversity in urban areas.

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To many people, insects are just a nuisance, but they play a pivotal role in nature.

They are important in maintaining ecological balance.

They provide food for many birds, reptiles, other small animals and fish.

They clean up/recycle waste and decaying plant and animal material and some also feed on parasitise larvae of pest insects.

As stated earlier, one of their most important roles in the world’s ecology is that of pollinators of plants. This function is vital for the production of food crops and is a reason that we are so concerned about preventing the reduction in bee populations.

The Rainbow Bee-Eater (above) is a spectacular bird. Research shows a marked decline for the Rainbow Bee-eater (and some other aerial insectivories) in the East Coast region, where reporting rates for this species have dropped by over 50% since 2001.

Since insects comprise the largest animal group on the earth and represent about two-thirds of land-based species, we need to be very concerned about major changes in their populations.

Many aspects of our modern world are responsible for the loss of insects:

• Pesticide use – in agriculture, gardens and inside dwellings. Many such as the commonly used group of chemicals, neonicatinoids are not specific for pests and kill many other insect species as well.

• Wide-scale use of insecticides on agricultural mono-cultures leads to a decline in insect populations and diversity.

• Agriculture’s dependence on large-scale monocultures. These support only a small number of insect species displacing other species which do not thrive or reproduce in the absence of a natural diversity of plant species.

• Loss of habitat due to agricultural monocultures and urbanization. Both have led to the removal of wetlands and naturally diverse vegetation which provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for insects.

Each of us can help prevent insect decline by being mindful of our daily habits.  We can…

Reduce or stop the use of insecticides. Many alternatives protect plants from insect attack. In articles on SGA’s (Sustainable Gardening Australia) website, there are suggestions for particular pests. Some examples include hosing them off or covering target plants with fine netting.

Reduce (or get rid of) your lawn area which provides little food or shelter for insects

Plant your garden with a wide variety of insect-attracting plants to provide them with food and shelter for example:  Marigolds, perennials with composite flowers like Sweet Alice and Yarrow, herbs with perfumed flowers or leaves, and sunflowers.

Create some “messy” spaces in the garden to provide shelter and breeding locations – pieces of timber, old bricks, stones, dense shrubs and ground covers.  In particular, plant ground covers and mid-storey plants that are indigenous to your area because those types of plants are the most beneficial when it comes to attracting indigenous insects.

Make or buy an insect hotel which will give insects a home and look attractive too.

When you buy food, choose that which hasn’t been grown using pesticides. These would be labelled “organic”, pesticide-free”, “chemical-free” or “biodynamic”. Boosting sales of such food leads to growers changing their growing practices.

Turn off outdoor lighting. Many insects will be drawn towards the lights e.g. moths.  Insect navigation systems are disturbed by lights, consequently affecting their ability to feed.

Get engaged in observing and counting insects through citizen science – you can help monitor insects to add to our scientific knowledge about population numbers by joining in initiatives which record insects e.g. the Wild Pollinator Count or Butterflies Australia.

We need your help to continue to protect precious habitats in New South Wales.

Save Our Woodlands has secured 4 significant tracks of land but funding is still needed for each.

Additionally, we are raising funds to build 4 km of wildlife-friendly fencing to keep stock out of precious and protected in perpetuity habitats of endangered and at risk species.