Insects Are Dying Out. Scientists Want Them to Have Their Own Sanctuaries.

Insects are disappearing at an alarming rate worldwide. In response, scientists are calling for a new kind of conservation: protected areas designed specifically for insects. Traditional nature reserves are created mainly to protect large animals like tigers, elephants, and pandas. But these areas often fail to safeguard the small creatures that keep ecosystems running. Insects pollinate crops, break down waste, and serve as food for countless animals. Without them, food supplies and entire ecosystems would collapse. Researchers argue that insects need their own protected zones — places managed with their specific needs in mind, such as native plants, undisturbed soil, and safe breeding sites. The proposal faces challenges. Insects are tiny, numerous, and often overlooked. Mapping their habitats and tracking their decline requires far more funding and research than currently exists. Still, scientists warn that time is running out. Some studies suggest insect populations have dropped by more than 70 percent in certain regions over the past few decades. Creating protected areas for insects, they say, is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity.