Insects play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems and supporting life on Earth. While some insects damage crops, cause irritation, or transmit diseases, the vast majority are beneficial. Eliminating all insects would have catastrophic effects on global biodiversity, agriculture, and human survival.
The Weight of Insects on the Planet
If all insects were combined, their collective biomass would be roughly 300 times greater than that of all humans. Ants alone exceed the combined weight of humans. While their disappearance might initially seem advantageous for farmers by reducing crop damage, the long-term consequences would be devastating.
Disruption of Food Chains
Insects occupy a central position in terrestrial food chains. They provide sustenance for reptiles, small birds, and amphibians. The loss of insects would lead to the extinction of these species, triggering a cascading effect through higher trophic levels. Predators that feed on these animals, including humans indirectly, would face severe food shortages, ultimately destabilizing entire ecosystems.
Impact on Pollination and Agriculture
Approximately 80 percent of flowering plants depend on pollination to reproduce, a process predominantly facilitated by insects such as bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, and flies. While birds, bats, and wind can contribute to pollination, insect activity accounts for the majority of plant reproduction.
Without insects, crop production would collapse, eliminating fruits, vegetables, grains, and other staple foods. Consequently, both humans and livestock would face starvation.
Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
Insects are also essential decomposers. They recycle organic material, including dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil. Their absence would result in the accumulation of organic waste, disrupting nutrient cycles and soil fertility.
Insects are indispensable to the stability of Earth’s ecosystems. They support food chains, enable pollination, and facilitate decomposition, all of which are critical to sustaining life. The disappearance of insects would lead to widespread species extinctions, agricultural collapse, and the eventual collapse of human societies. Protecting insect populations is therefore vital for the health of the planet and the survival of humanity.
