decline. I’m not a huge fan of bugs, so I struggle to mourn their demise, but apparently this isn’t a good thing for the planet, or for humankind:

“The world’s insects are hurtling down the path to extinction, threatening a ‘catastrophic collapse of nature’s ecosystems’, according to the first global scientific review.

“More than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered, the analysis found. The rate of extinction is eight times faster than that of mammals, birds and reptiles. The total mass of insects is falling by a precipitous 2.5% a year, according to the best data available...

“...insects are by far the most varied and abundant animals, outweighing humanity by 17 times. They are ‘essential’ for the proper functioning of all ecosystems, the researchers say, as food for other creatures, pollinators and recyclers of nutrients...

“The analysis...says intensive agriculture is the main driver of the declines, particularly the heavy use of pesticides. Urbanisation and climate change are also significant factors.”