Insects are vanishing at an alarming rate worldwide due to various factors, including agricultural intensification. A new study led by Binghamton University has analyzed over 175 scientific reviews and identified interconnected drivers of insect decline. The research found that agricultural intensification is the most cited driver, but it’s more complex than a single cause-and-effect relationship.
The team created an extensive network of possible links between different stressors, including beekeeping, urban sprawl, and climate change. They also discovered biases in recent literature, focusing mainly on “popular” and “charismatic” insects like bees and butterflies. This narrow focus limits the identification of conservation actions benefiting other insect species.
According to Assistant Professor Eliza Grames, researchers need to address multiple drivers simultaneously, rather than targeting individual stressors. “If we prioritize research on one or two groups of insects, we’ll miss a lot of other species,” she said.
The study’s findings emphasize the importance of a multi-pronged approach in insect conservation. By acknowledging and addressing various interconnected drivers, scientists can develop more effective strategies to protect insect biodiversity.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-insects-due-agriculture-drivers-reveals.html