Action for Insects

From the shimmering jewel tones of rosemary beetles and the colourful wings of fluttering butterflies, to mayfly ballets and the lazy buzz of bumblebees, the world would be a gloomier place without our huge diversity of insects.

Sadly, a world without insects isn't as far-fetched as it might sound. 41 per cent of insects now face extinction, but it's not too late.

We're living through a terrifying decline in insect numbers. In fact, insects are dying out up to eight times faster than larger animals and 41 per cent of insect species face extinction. This impacts us all - both humans and wildlife. Insects pollinate three quarters of our food crops and are the main food source for many birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish. As insects continue dying out, we will all feel the effects.

Our recent report by Professor Dave Goulson – ‘Insect declines and why they matter’ – reveals that habitat loss, changes to land management and the use of pesticides are proving catastrophic for insects. And now, a new report by Professor Dave Goulson offers cause for hope. Bringing together inspiring stories from farmers, communities, councils and charities across the UK, ‘Reversing the decline of insects’ proves how reducing our use of pesticides where we live, work and farm, and creating more insect-friendly habitats in towns, cities and the countryside can help insects thrive once more.

Read 'Reversing the decline of insects'

Read 'Insect declines and why they matter'

The new Environment Act calls for the creation of Nature Recovery Networks (wild places across the country that are connected to give nature room to thrive, on land and at sea) to be enshrined in law. By making 'bug hubs' in your garden to attract insects, your wild patch will become part of this Nature Recovery Network and give wildlife more room to thrive on your doorstep.

Watch David Attenborough explain more about Nature Recovery Networks, below.

We can turn our towns, cities, villages and gardens into a buzzing network of insect-friendly refuges. With about half a million hectares of gardens in the UK, plus city parks and green spaces, school playing fields, railway embankments and cuttings, road verges and roundabouts; if managed favourably, and if we avoid pesticide use, these areas could go a long way towards creating a national Nature Recovery Network.

By managing nature reserves and restoring wild places, commenting on planning applications, lobbying government and even reintroducing locally extinct butterflies, we fight for insects every day. As a charity, we couldn't do this without the generous support of people like you.