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Royal Entomological Society: Could insects hold the key to a more sustainable future?

24 May 2024

By Simon Ward, Chief Executive Officer, and Gia Aradottir, Treasurer and Trustee, of the Royal Entomological Society

 

Main photograph: Beverley Brouwer / Royal Entomological Society

This article has been prepared by a third party and may include third-party research or data which is relied upon and may not have been validated by Barclays. Sources of underlying research and data are made available as additional information for the reader where this has been provided by the author.

Insects contribute significantly to ecosystems as predators, prey, decomposers and pollinators1,2, providing crucial ecosystem services that include pollinating up to 75% of the world’s major food crop species3 and as a potential source of protein in the food chain. They can also cause significant damage through crop losses and disease transmission to plants, animals and humans4. However, it is estimated that only around 1 million insect species have been identified of an estimated 5.5 million5

The study of insects has never been so important. In the Global Risks Report 2023 published by the World Economic Forum, climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are ranked as the top four global risks over the next ten-year period. This includes significant concerns around insect decline, where intensification of agriculture, loss of habitat, introduction of invasive species, light pollution and impacts of climate change6,7 over the last few decades may be contributing factors. 

Understanding insect decline requires research to elucidate natural population fluctuations and the impacts of the major drivers for change8. This knowledge can then be used to halt or reverse the decline or restore habitats. Daneway Banks nature reserve is an example of a successful conservation programme, where new methodologies and knowledge have been applied to reintroduce the Large blue butterfly to what has been described as one of the most treasured and diverse limestone grassland sites in Gloucestershire9. The Royal Entomological Society co-owns this site with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in the Cotswolds and has supported this work.

Food security 

Conservation science is an important area of insect research, but the discipline is much wider than this. The study of insects is also vitally important in relation to food security across the globe.  Baseline data on farm biodiversity, insect pest abundance, occurrence and effect on crop yields are lacking or outdated. Fundamental research and surveys to renew this knowledge in current climate conditions – and with considerations for future climate scenarios – are urgently needed.  

These sentiments were echoed in the UK government’s ‘Insect Decline and UK Food Security Report’, published in March 2024 following a call for evidence10. The report emphasised the critical role of insects through pollination services, managing crop pests, maintaining soil health and recycling nutrients from waste. It also noted a consensus that insects in the UK are in decline, and confirmed the need for well-funded research to address this. 

Managing insect pests in food production is a particular challenge, but research is developing new methods and innovation for more sustainable solutions. These include Integrated Pest Management that combines a variety of techniques, including resistant crop varieties, biological control, agronomy and habitat manipulation, to manage insect pests in crops. For research to successfully be implemented in practice, it needs to be conducted under practical and realistic conditions, ideally in collaboration with farmers, growers and land managers. It is also important that such research is independent and longer term where farmland biodiversity is being restored. 

Transforming agriculture 

Innovation coming from research activities and collaboration between entomologists and experts in other STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and maths) will likely transform agriculture in the future. Understanding of the distribution and abundance of insects is important where they need to be controlled, as well as where biodiversity needs assessing, hence this is an area where there are many new approaches in development. 

Use of imaging and meteorological data is being developed for decision support to alert farmers to issues of pests when they arise. Insects often have a patchy distribution in a field, and this will enable treating targeted areas rather than spraying whole fields. Much research is being conducted to identify and optimise biological control agents against insect pests, such as entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria to replace traditional pesticides, and using drones for application rather than heavy machinery that is more polluting and often cannot be driven over wet soil. 

Artificial intelligence (AI), in combination with imaging and other technologies, is also being developed to survey and understand insects, their occurrence and behaviour, such as for counting and identifying insects on screens or in pheromone-baited traps. Another interesting development is bioacoustics, which collects and analyses sound recordings in soil and water for biodiversity assessments and surveying of animal species that can be hard to monitor such as insects. Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are also being developed to identify insect species from traces left in soil, water or air and give a better understanding of ecosystem health11

Supporting human health

Insect research plays an important role in human health. According to the World Health Organisation, vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, and result in over 700,000 deaths annually12. More research is needed into this area of entomology as various species of mosquito and tick carry viruses, bacteria or parasites that cause these diseases. Collaboration between special interest groups and sharing the latest knowledge and research may also help reduce the impacts of these diseases.

Insects as food and feed

Insects as food and feed is another new area of entomology that is developing quickly, and large insect farms are now operating in Europe and across the world. Insects have been consumed in many cultures for millennia, but systematic insect production is novel and holds much promise for a sustainable protein production. Insects have a high feed conversion rate and the larvae of the insects that are permissible for food and feed production in Europe have been shown to be rich in nutrients and highly digestible. Vertical farming of insects in indoor facilities also protects from the fluctuations of climate. 

Insect protein is already available in pet foods and is being developed into animal feed to substitute fish meal and soya that are a limited resource and environmentally problematic, respectively. Future use in the human food chain is likely to be through protein supplements and use of the protein flour and extracted fats in baking and cooking. At the same time, there is a growing emphasis on welfare in research and farming of insects, and there is still much that is unknown about the sentience of insects. Again, more research is required to understand this area more clearly and support best practice. 

The need for research and training

Entomology is a broad field with a wide scope. Last year, the Royal Entomological Society published a scientific paper titled ‘The Grand Challenges in Entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades’13.  This paper was the culmination of a project that collaborated with entomologists from around the globe. It identified 61 key priority challenges that need further research, which were grouped into 11 themes within four broad categories: Conservation, Human-insect interaction, Pure Science, and Engagement. 

While supporting this research and the entomological community is vital, it is also important to engage with the public and communicate this work beyond scientists and practitioners, and to inspire the next generation. 

The future of insect scientific research is exciting. However, there are some concerns surrounding training of future entomologists and those having skills in insect taxonomy and identification.  Entomology was highlighted as a vulnerable skill and subject area of concern within agriculture and food security, according to a report commissioned by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC)14. The report recommended a focus on fundamental entomological science and skills. This could be achieved by supporting student programmes through bursaries and guest lecturing, for example, or encouraging institutions to begin new training programmes.

Supporting science-based decision-making

Using science to inform decision-makers should help support the skills development and research needed to gain a greater understanding of insects. This in turn should have a beneficial impact on reversing insect decline, ensuring global food security and reducing the impacts of vector-borne diseases. Insect-related science and data will also be key to the success of initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, which aims to help businesses and investors understand the risks and opportunities that result from their impacts and dependencies on nature.

About the authors

Simon Ward has been CEO of the Royal Entomological Society since April 2021. In that time, Simon has overseen the development of a new vision and strategy that has a focus on increasing impact and relevance of the Society and insect science, while also ensuring it has a sustainable future.  

Gia Aradottir is an entomologist and has been the Treasurer and Trustee of the Royal Entomological Society since 2020. Formerly a research scientist, Gia now focuses on innovation and is a consultant and adviser to start-ups, research organisations and government departments.

About the Royal Entomological Society

The Royal Entomological Society is a global charity with a vision to enrich the world with insect science. Founded in 1833, it is one of the world’s oldest organisations devoted to the understanding and development of this vital area of the natural sciences. Many eminent scientists of the past such as Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and Miriam Rothschild have been Fellows of the Society, and it continues to attract and support many leading scientists and practitioners in the world of entomology.

As part of its work, the Society publishes entomological research from across all its disciplines in seven widely acclaimed scientific journals, and helps prepare students for rewarding careers, supporting the next generation of entomologists by linking them up with opportunities in industry.

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