In the middle of the summer, when the cacophony of insect sounds fills the air and it feels like insects are flying at you from all different directions, the threat of “the insect apocalypse” seems to fade into the background. The “insect apocalypse,” more generally called the “insect decline in abundance” or “insect biodiversity crisis”, could potentially lead to the demise of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Scientists have long documented the loss of insect species at a rate exceeding historical extinction rates, but the loss in abundance has been surprising to entomologists. Currently, the loss in insect abundance is at a rate of 1-2% each year, which at first glance doesn’t sound all that dramatic, but in 5 years, that’s about a 10% loss in insect abundance. Why is this a problem? Insects are hugely important to the functioning of ecological systems and not only in our gardens. It was calculated that insects have at least an annual value of $70 billion for their ecosystem services. That would put insects 22nd out of 200 in the Forbes Billionaires List!

Insects are well known as pollinators but less recognized is their importance in degrading wood and other plant debris in forests and parkland, the decomposition of dead animals left on the ground, and their value in cleaning flowing water. They have been key to medical and biological research and have provided goods such as honey, silk, wax, dyes, and food to human culture. Additionally, they are critical components of the food chain: they feed on plants that might otherwise become weeds, they feed on insects that become our pests, and they provide food to the birds, reptiles, and mammals we love so much.

Despite the profound ways we rely on insects, I noticed that most students at the University of Maryland were fearful of insects or viewed them with a sense of disdain. Then I realized that their fear of insects is a result of the few interactions they have with insects like mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches, and bed bugs. So, I set out to provide a new way for students to interact with insects and understand the importance of insect biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Creating a visual display

In 2023, with funding from the UMD Sustainability Fund, three undergraduate students, (Felicia Shechtman, Yasmine Helbling, and Fiona Torök) helped me build three eye-catching physical displays to show the diversity of insects and the importance of their ecosystem services. Now, when you walk through the library, you’ll see a glass case with an array of neatly pinned insects categorized by ecosystem service, surrounded by colorful fact sheets, and striking infographics. QR codes on the infographic posters direct students to the Lamp Lab website with a drop-down menu detailing how insects are relevant to their academic major and future career endeavors. The final displays represent the work of my three undergraduate students, as well as several student organizations on campus (i.e., the UMD Origami Club, which made and donated the paper insects). In the end, before these displays were even installed, students were already talking about insects and their ecosystem services.

Positive outcomes…so far

Once the displays were in place, I overheard several conversations among students about how insects play a role in their own lives.

“Yesterday I saw the most beautiful butterfly land on a black-eyed susan!” – anonymous student

“One time, I was hiking in the woods, and I came across a vole carcass covered in flies and maybe a beetle?” – anonymous student

Our displays encouraged students to talk about their relationship with insects in a different context. These conversations were pushed further to a broader audience with features in Maryland Today and Progress Hub, authored by UMD student Clare Gallagher. Meanwhile, on a more individual level, the students who were directly involved in cultivating these displays can point to them when walking through the library with friends and say with pride “hey I made that!” Re-building relationships with insects takes time. The first step is to see them in a new context, such as these aesthetic displays. 

Key takeaways

Although the need for insects and their ecosystem services seems clear to some, it’s not always obvious. Like the saying “out of sight, out of mind” insects are simply so small, it’s easy to lose sight of their massive ecological contributions. Elevating insect biodiversity in new ways opens conversations about the importance of our tiniest friends and how they relate to us. For example, a mechanic might not see the beauty in pollination, but they might be fascinated by the intricacies of wing folding and joint movement. Conversely, a foodie or nutritionist might be more interested in the abundance of food sources insects provide. To summarize, all insects in our gardens have an important job, but how you relate to those jobs might vary from person to person. Once you find that common ground between you and your insects, hold onto it and explore that relationship.

Creative ways you can explore insects

So, when you’re in your garden this spring and summer, grab a writing utensil and a notebook and take a moment to just observe which insects you see, what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how their actions play a role in the larger environment. You might see a butterfly finding a perch, a beetle digging into the ground, or a fly cleaning itself. As you’re thinking, start to draw your insect subject, letting your creative side fuel your pondering. And it doesn’t have to be a good drawing! I, for one, am not the most “realistic” artist, but providing a space for a quiet, observational, and creative outlet can be a great way to explore insects on a different level. Who knows, you might see your garden completely differently along the way.

By Helen Craig, M.S. Entomology Graduate Student, Lamp Lab, University of Maryland Entomology Department