The global population of flying insects is crashing dangerously fast
Source: Globalpost/PRI
November 14, 2017 · 2:15 PM EST
The disappearance of bees and butterflies has concerned scientists and the public for years. Now, a new study from Germany confirms that the abundance of flying insects has dropped over 75 percent since 1989.
The journal PLOS One reports that amateur entomologists in Germany have discovered that some three-quarters of flying insects there have vanished from nature preserves. Dave Goulson, professor of biology at the University of Sussex in the UK, says the problem is so serious, it could lead to an “ecological Armageddon.”
“Flying insects make up the bulk of life on Earth. About two-thirds of all species we know are insects,” Goulson says. “They pollinate more than 80 percent of all the plant species on Earth, so if we lose the flying insects we will lose all the flowers on Earth — literally all of them. Flowers evolved to attract insects, that's why we have them. Three-quarters of our crops need pollinating by flying insects. So, we’d have a world without most fruit and vegetables.”
Insects do other important things, too. They help keep pests under control, they recycle dung and they are food for the majority of other creatures. “Most birds at some stage of their life cycle eat insects. Almost all reptiles, amphibians, aquatic fish, bats, lots of small mammals — all depend on insects. So, essentially, take away the insects and everything else is going to collapse,” Goulson says.
Read more: https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-11-14/global-population-flying-insects-crashing-dangerously-fast
Just a reminder that Trump isn't the only threat to the globe.
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sandensea
(23,362 posts)Either there's more of them than ever, or they just love me.
Blue_Tires
(57,596 posts)the big uglies moved to our neighborhood by the hundreds of thousands three years ago and it has been a daily struggle....
sandensea
(23,362 posts)Try this: buy wormwood herb in bulk (you can get it at many health-food stores, or order online from Frontier, Mountain Rose, etc.); sprinkle in corners and wherever roaches might like to settle (in kitchen cupboards or behind the fridge, for instance).
It's safe for pets and babies (and really bitter), and insects hate it. The mere scent will send them packing - and yet it's nearly imperceptible to people.
Good luck.
Blue_Tires
(57,596 posts)sandensea
(23,362 posts)That's one of the things I miss about living in Southern California: a lot fewer bugs. Generally the more humid the climate, the more you get.
tecelote
(5,156 posts)This is worse than Trump. He's only here for a year or two.
This is devastating and it's going to affect your children. We continue to poison the earth at rates that will jeopardize the future of many generations.
EarthFirst
(4,156 posts)Youll begin to understand why were fucked.
Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)
Marthe48
(23,185 posts)<joke> This was the first summer in years I had them, though. I have noticed that there are less and less insects if I leave the porch light on.
redwitch
(15,263 posts)Not tons but it looks like several dozen. They are hibernating in our dining room and occasionally one will fly to the sink for some water. In the spring they will fly away to eat aphids.
I am grateful there aren’t thousands of them though. 
lindalou65
(391 posts)Professor Emeritus and Eminent Biologist E. O. Wilson's quote and a dire warning:
"If we were to wipe out insects alone on this planet, the rest of humanity and life with it would mostly disappear from the land, within a few months."
Pretty scary!
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I'm very worried about this. I haven't seen a bee in a long time. There used to be a lot of bees around.
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)I guess I'm a bee sanctuary. They have been hitting my hummingbird feeders pretty hard.
Roland99
(53,345 posts)
It was weird. Several different kinds.
BigmanPigman
(55,177 posts)and new bites and it has been getting worse for the past 3 years. Now for 6 months out of the year fruit flies (yes, they leave bacteria on the skin and if you are allergic you react like it is an actual bite) and mosquitos are feasting on me. My sheets are covered in blood. AAAHHHH!!!!!!! I have to wear OFF! all the time.
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)BigmanPigman
(55,177 posts)I have seen them at restaurants.
haele
(15,412 posts)We got a table top model that's basically just a UV light and an electric mesh under a fan that drives them into it. In one week, it's already taken care of half the drain flies we can't get rid of until we get a contractor down under our sink to replace the sub-floor around our kitchen drain and barrier wrap/insulation under our kitchen floor and venting.
Most people mistake drain flies for fruit flies or pantry moths, but since you're getting an allergic reaction, you probably do have fruit flies.
We tried the tennis-racket type electric swatter zapper, and while we got a few, we had to be careful not to swat near anything that might either break the swatter or break/electrocute the item it hit - like a cat trying to help or a snoozing spouse in his recliner.
The UV light zappers tend to work better on mosquitos, mites, and fleas, but they still get other flying buggers.
Haele
Turbineguy
(40,083 posts)will be disappointed. They thought they would be the ones to bring life to an end.
unhip white guy
(78 posts)But don't count ol' Donnie out, especially with his mind growing more agitated as the cracks in his Administration start to spread.
yardwork
(69,370 posts)Botany
(77,348 posts)Duppers
(28,469 posts)WE are killing them.
keithbvadu2
(40,915 posts)Bad news: Global emissions are on the rise again
Emissions are up again this year by an estimated 1 to 3 percent
https://www.salon.com/2017/11/14/bad-news-global-emissions-are-on-the-rise-again_partner/
Obviously not related...... Absolutely not!
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10141914154
unhip white guy
(78 posts)I knew I'd seen that thread somewhere! 
Duppers
(28,469 posts)Almost 200 samples of honey were analysed for neonicotinoid insecticides and 75% contained the chemicals, with most contaminated with multiple types. Bees range over many kilometres to collect nectar and pollen, making the honey they produce an excellent indicator of the pesticide pollution across their local landscape.
Bees and other pollinators are vital to three-quarters of the world’s food crops but have been in serious decline in recent decades. The destruction of wild habitats, disease and widespread pesticide use are all important factors. Scientists responding to the new work say a crackdown on the industrial-scale use of the nerve agents is urgently needed.
http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=aIubLCBT3nl%2B6urdtl72q78gTORAy%2Bmy
emmadoggy
(2,142 posts)Just a few weeks ago, I was actually commenting about this to my husband. I've noticed that when we are driving there are FAR, FAR fewer bugs smacking the windshield. It used to be in the summer time, the windshield would be covered with bugs, from tiny gnats to the occasional big, juicy one.
Now, it's just not really much of an issue. It is frightening.
I used to see far more wildlife along the roadsides when we drove, too. Used to commonly see streaked gophers (striped ground squirrels), rabbits, pheasants, skunks, raccoons, woodchucks etc. Now, we see some roadkilled skunks, coons, and mostly deer, but we almost NEVER seen any other critters. I do have a theory about the wildlife, though. We have seen a dramatic comeback of bald eagles and I suspect that may be (one reason) why we see fewer of the small animals. I don't imagine it accounts for it entirely, though.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)personally only use insecticide against fire ants, hand treat, (1/4 tsp.) any mound /w Orthene Fire Ant Killer.
Haven't seen "lightening bugs" in years, /sigh
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)This is on you and your misbegotten War on Nature.
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)Homo Sapiens have really f'ed it up this time. Now it is only a matter of time.