Summary
A study from the University of North Carolina found that insect populations are decreasing even in remote areas with little human activity, likely due to climate change. Insects in a remote Colorado meadow saw a 72.4% decline over 20 years, with climate change suspected as the main cause.
Key Facts
- The study was conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and published in the journal Ecology.
- Researchers measured insect populations in a remote Colorado meadow over 15 summers between 2004 and 2024.
- Insect numbers declined by an average of 6.6% each year, totaling a 72.4% drop over 20 years.
- The study area was relatively untouched by direct human actions.
- Climate change was identified as a likely factor for the decline, with warmer summers impacting insect numbers.
- The findings align with broader reports of insect decline in North America and Europe.
- A separate 2019 analysis found that over 40% of insect species were threatened with extinction.
- University of Kentucky entomologist, not part of the study, agreed that climate change is a probable cause of insect declines.
