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Experts in the media – UConn’s David Wagner is sounding the alarm about the dangerous decline in insects

Jan 15, 2021

2 min

David Wagner, Ph.D.


It’s as if there’s an all-out war on the world’s insects – and experts from across the country are all buzzing with some very bad news. Recently, University of Connecticut’s Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Behavior, David Wagner was featured on CBS National News in an in-depth story about the potential apocalypse the world’s insect kingdom faces.



“The world's vital insect kingdom is undergoing "death by a thousand cuts," the world's top bug experts said. Climate change, insecticides, herbicides, light pollution, invasive species and changes in agriculture and land use are causing Earth to lose probably 1% to 2% of its insects each year, said University of Connecticut entomologist David Wagner, lead author in the special package of 12 studies in Monday's Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences written by 56 scientists from around the globe.


The problem, sometimes called the insect apocalypse, is like a jigsaw puzzle. And scientists say they still don't have all the pieces, so they have trouble grasping its enormity and complexity and getting the world to notice and do something.


Wagner said scientists need to figure out if the rate of the insect loss is bigger than with other species. "There is some reason to worry more," he added, "because they are the target of attack" with insecticides, herbicides and light pollution…


Insects "are absolutely the fabric by which Mother Nature and the tree of life are built," Wagner said. January 12 - CBS News



The story is attached above  – and must-read material for anyone concerned about insects and the vital role they play in just about every aspect of our world.


If you’re a journalist looking to know more about this topic and would like to contact Dr. Wagner – simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.


Connect with:
David Wagner, Ph.D.

David Wagner, Ph.D.

Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Behavior

Professor Wagner is an expert in caterpillars, butterflies, moths, insect conservation, global insect decline

Butterflies and MothsCaterpillarsEntomologyInvasive Species ImpactsInsects
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