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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Insects include any bugs with 6 legs including beetles, flies, dragon flies, stick insects, fireflies, and ants.
Threats to Bugs
Threats to Bugs
The following haven't yet been organized by level of impact, but are among the top listed by scientists.
Deforestation
Deforestation
Pesticide Use
Pesticide Use
We often assume that it is only insecticides that threaten insects, but pesticides kill off their food sources, and fungicides can disrupt soil health, which in turn impacts the food sources of bugs.
Climate Change
Climate Change
Air Pollution
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a major contributor to climate change, but different types of air pollution can also have direct impact on insect, their ability to reproduce, and even their food, as certain pollutants or the acid rain they create can kill off important plants.
Transit & Energy
Transit & Energy
These make up the majority of green house gases. Reducing transit emissions, industry emissions, and emissions associated with buildings (mostly for heating and cooling), we can greatly reduce our contributions toward climate change.
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Biouminescent Insects "If it’s tiny, winged, and flashing in your backyard, it might be a firefly—but it might not. Other species of bugs also glow and use bioluminescence to communicate, find mates, and scare off predators. Here are a few bugs that are commonly misidentified as fireflies—and how to tell the difference."
Solutions
Solutions
"Take Extinction Off Your Plate"
"Take Extinction Off Your Plate"
Learn about the biggest causes of deforestation so you can strategically change how you eat, shop, (and if applicable, how you grow food) to reduce of even help reverse deforestation rates.
Farming Practices to Promote Biodiversity
Farming Practices to Promote Biodiversity
"Beetle banks are linear strips of perennial native bunch grasses that provide overwintering shelter for predatory ground beetles, spiders, and other beneficial invertebrates. These grassy strips are sometimes interplanted with native wildflowers to increase plant diversity and support pollinators and other beneficial insects that consume pollen and/or nectar. Beetle banks are planted within or adjacent to crop fields to promote movement of predators into the crops. When beetle banks are present on farms, natural predators have more opportunities to colonize crop fields and regulate crop pests.
The use of beetle banks as a conservation practice originated in Great Britain, where they are now a common method to regulate grain pests such as aphids and blossom midges. In the United States, beetle banks are increasingly being adopted in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest, and elsewhere, in a wide variety of cropping systems including large-scale grain crops and vegetable production. Overall, beetle banks are a great tool to support beneficial insects, pollinators, and other wildlife on farms, especially when existing shelter and floral resources are limited.
This fact sheet provides information on planning, locating, and installing beetle banks in the Upper Midwest, including recommended grasses and flowers that can be planted." - Beetle Banks for Beneficial Insects
Let There Be Dark
Let There Be Dark
Reducing light pollution by turning off unnecessary lights, turning light down as well as pointing them downward, covering windows at night, and putting outdoor lights on timers or motion detectors can help protect humans as well as wildlife.
Wildlife-Friendly Gardens & Landscaping
Wildlife-Friendly Gardens & Landscaping
Gardening without pesticides, or heavy gas-powered equipment should be your first step. Wildlife isn't tidy and curated like gardens often are these days, but if you can't leave large areas wild, at least make some bug-friendly spaces such as leaf and stick piles. Plant natives, and try to eliminate invasive plants.
Pollinator Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
These specifically focus on providing plenty of native plants, pollen, and other pollinator-friendly features.
Water Gardens
Water Gardens
You might not immediately think about water when you think about insects, but these can be havens for important species such as dragonflies, who prey on smaller insects including mosquitos. Even a tiny water garden can be a vital ecosystem for our dazzling friends.
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
Check out our Citizen Science page to see what programs you can support in you area, or internationally. Citizen Science is a fun way to help science help our plant.
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
Biouminescent Insects "If it’s tiny, winged, and flashing in your backyard, it might be a firefly—but it might not. Other species of bugs also glow and use bioluminescence to communicate, find mates, and scare off predators. Here are a few bugs that are commonly misidentified as fireflies—and how to tell the difference."
Using A Sweep Net by Texas Junior Naturalists offers practical information including links to bug guides by Order.
Bug-Friendly Farming
Bug-Friendly Farming
Beetle Banks for Beneficial Insects "Beetle banks are linear strips of perennial native bunch grasses that provide overwintering shelter for predatory ground beetles, spiders, and other beneficial invertebrates. These grassy strips are sometimes interplanted with native wildflowers to increase plant diversity and support pollinators and other beneficial insects that consume pollen and/or nectar. Beetle banks are planted within or adjacent to crop fields to promote movement of predators into the crops. When beetle banks are present on farms, natural predators have more opportunities to colonize crop fields and regulate crop pests.
The use of beetle banks as a conservation practice originated in Great Britain, where they are now a common method to regulate grain pests such as aphids and blossom midges. In the United States, beetle banks are increasingly being adopted in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest, and elsewhere, in a wide variety of cropping systems including large-scale grain crops and vegetable production. Overall, beetle banks are a great tool to support beneficial insects, pollinators, and other wildlife on farms, especially when existing shelter and floral resources are limited.
This fact sheet provides information on planning, locating, and installing beetle banks in the Upper Midwest, including recommended grasses and flowers that can be planted."
North America
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."
Tools & Apps
Tools & Apps
Europe
Europe
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
UK
UK
Northern Ireland
CEDaR (Center for Environmental Data and Recording) Online Recording Click the link to see what projects are available. They have specific links for Owls, Butterflies, Marine, Invasive Species, Lady Birds and more! Some of the links will take you to projects for specific regions including the Ring of Gullion and Belfast Hills.
Ireland's Citizen Science Portal "The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity."
International
International
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation "is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts."
Europe
Europe
Denmark
Denmark
Lolland
Saksfjed Vildmark "ligger på Lollands sydspids.
Området har en helt særlig betydning pga. sin placering som brohovedet til Nordeuropa, og som en vigtig del af adskillige arters migrationsrute med mindst 255 forskellige observerede fuglearter og et potentiale til endnu flere.
Området er nabo til et af Fugleværnsfondens største naturreservater, nemlig det 217 hektar store Saksfjed-Hyllekrog. Tilsammen har området potentiale til at blive et af de væsentligste naturområder for biodiversitet i form af fugle, insekter og andre arter, der bevæger sig frit. Det samlede område vil være ca. 1.000 hektarer, dvs. ca. 10 km2 hvilket svarer nogenlunde til 1.500 fodboldbaner."
UK
UK
Buglife are the only conservation charity in Europe devoted to the conservation of invertebrates. Everything from glow-worms to garden spiders! You can support Buglife by joining or making a donation.
Report sightings at the fantastic U.K. Glow-worm survey page"
North America
North America
Canada
Canada
Pollinator Partnership Canada " is a registered charity dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems through conservation, education, and research."
USA
USA
Bee Campus USA "brings college communities together to sustain pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. Affiliates of Bee Campus USA also work to inspire others to take steps to conserve pollinators through education and outreach. Learn how your college can join Bee Campus USA."
Missouri
Camp Monarch "is a newly founded nonprofit committed to addressing the loss of vital habitats for the Monarch Butterfly and many other species across North America. Right now, we are a small but dedicated team of passionate individuals determined to take action for wildlife and biodiversity. Our work begins by laying the foundation for a network of habitat restoration projects, with a focus on empowering landowners to be part of the solution.
As we get started, we’re recruiting founding members who share our vision of restoring fragmented ecosystems and reconnecting wildlife corridors. Our work may still be in its early stages, but we know that with the right people, every small step will lead to big impact."
Maps
Maps
International
International
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Butterfly Conservation: Wild Spaces: Put Your Wild Space on the Map "Our interactive map shows the number and types of Wild Space near you. When you sign up in the UK, your Wild Space will also appear on the map so you can show everyone that you're taking action and encourage others to get involved too."
North America
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."
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