“Impressive deficit” of knowledge. Almost 90% of insects and arachnids in North America do not have conservation status, study warns. It is also a danger for us humans.
A new study surprisingly concludes that the overwhelming majority of insects and arachnids in North America north of Mexico remain off the conservation radar.
Almost 90% (88.5%, to be precise) of known species do not have any conservation status, according to research, conducted by two ecologists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and in the journal PNAS, which points to a basic problem: more than a lack of protection measures, there is a lack of essential information to know whether these species are increasing, declining or approaching extinction.
“Insects and arachnids are fundamental to human society”, begins by warning Laura Figueroamain author of the article.
“They help with pollination and biological pest control; they can serve as indicators of air and water quality and are deeply rooted in several cultures around the world”, explains the assistant professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst.
However, “we simply have no idea what they’re doing. Almost nothing is known about the conservation needs of most insects and arachnids in North America.”
The authors focused on arachnids such as spiders, scorpions and harvestmen, groups often associated with fear and disgust. The study highlights that these animals are critical components of the functioning of ecosystems and, by extension, human well-being.
In the context of an accelerated decline in biodiversity, sometimes described by researchers as a “surge”, scientists sought to measure how insects and arachnids are doing in the United States. Instead they found… almost nothing.
To paint a picture, the team compiled conservation assessments of 99,312 species of insects and arachnids recorded in the region. The result, according to senior author Laura Figueroa, is a “impressive deficit” of knowledge: Most species have never been formally assessed for risk, leaving researchers and public decision-makers without tools to guide priorities, investment and legislation.
What little there is, adds the study, is far from being representative. Aquatic insects used as indicators of water quality — such as mayflies, plecoptera and tricoptera — are much more studied. Also more “charismatic” groups, such as butterflies and dragonflies, attract a disproportionate share of attention.
Arachnids appear to be the most neglected: according to researcher Wes Walsh, many North American states do not protect even a single species from this group.
The analysis also identifies political and economic patterns. States dependent on extractive industries tend to offer fewer protections.
As a comparison, Figueroa points to the relative success of bird conservation, supported by broad coalitions (hunters, bird watchers, NGOs and others). The message is clear: to protect insects and arachnids, we need to start by measuring and knowing.
