Insects outweigh every species on Earth—humans, cattle and fish included. Despite their minute size, insects—bees, butterflies, moths and more—play a vital role in the planet’s ecosystem. They’re responsible for a sizable chunk of our food chain and some species act as the world’s recyclers, scrubbing the ground floor from vegetal and wooden debris. But, according to a new study, 40% of insect species will be faced with extinction within the next few decades. That means our diets and landscapes and the populations of other species may change drastically because of the sudden loss of these creatures. Read more about the somewhat sudden decline at Vox.
Some Insect Species are Facing Total Extinction
