Written evidence submitted by the Royal Entomological Society (INS0025)

 

 

The Royal Entomological Society (RES), founded in 1833, is a global scientific learned society and UK charity with a vision to enrich the world with insect science. The Society has a membership of over 2100 Fellows and Members, many of whom are researchers within universities and research institutes. The Society publishes 7 academic journals, including Insect Conservation and Diversity and Agricultural and Forest Entomology. We have 23 Special Interest Groups including ones specialising in climate change, conservation, pollination and sustainable agriculture. We co-own (with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust) Daneway Banks Nature Reserve and are one of the leading organisations involved in the reintroduction of the Large Blue butterfly.  We support insect science to benefit people and nature.

 

We have committed to be an independent voice to decision makers for the advancement and application of insect science.  The Society welcomes the opportunity to respond to the DEFRA call for evidence in relation to insect decline and food security.  The Royal Entomological Society would welcome any further consultation, liaising with our considerable number of expert insect scientists from a range of disciplines.

 

28 April 2023

 


  1. The current evidence base for insect abundance in the UK, and the gaps in scientific understanding that require further research.

 

Insects contribute significantly to ecosystems as predators, prey, decomposers and pollinators 1,2, providing several crucial ecosystem services that include pollinating up to 75% of the world’s major food crop species3.  However, whilst they play this crucial role it is estimated that less than 1 million species have been identified of an estimated 5.5 million4.  The Royal Entomological Society strongly believes there is a need for more identification of insect species, and better understanding of their important role within ecosystems.

 

The UK is one of the best monitored countries globally for insects, especially for certain groups such as butterflies and moths (https://nbn.org.uk/). Survey data generally fall into two types: structured and unstructured. Structured data involve constant monitoring schemes using standardised methods at the same sites on a regular basis e.g., UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) which started in 1976, and Rothamsted Insect Survey which started in the 1960s. Data are used to report changes in species abundance trends (https://ukbms.org/official-statistics). Unstructured data generally comprise ad hoc citizen science records of occurrence and are used to report species ranges, and range changes (e.g., The State of the UK’s Butterflies7).  Insect pollinators are surveyed through a semi-structured recording scheme started in 2017, which includes a survey of bees and hoverflies sampled using pan traps (https://ukpoms.org.uk/). There are many other recording schemes for different insect groups (e.g., BWARS – bees, wasps and ants https://www.bwars.com/).
 

However, there are still many other insect groups for which abundance records are patchy with inadequate monitoring, and so there is an urgent need for a better network of long-term monitoring.  There are opportunities to get more people involved in monitoring insects as ‘citizen scientists, and to develop new technologies5, including mobile phone apps (e.g., iRecord), bioacoustic techniques and AI to improve monitoring6.

Butterflies are particularly well studied, with data on abundance trends at sites (UKBMS) as well as changes in range from occupancy trends (from citizen science records). Of the 58 UK butterfly species, 30 have declining abundance trends, and 28 are increasing. Data on occurrences reveal 43 species have declined in range and only 15 increased7.

 

Patterns of insect change also vary over time. An analysis of ~3000 terrestrial UK insects over the past 5 decades8 showed increases pre-1992 but declines post-92. The RES agrees with the views of the wider scientific community over concerns about insect declines and the national approach to insect conservation.  Over the past decades there has been intensification of agriculture, loss of habitat, introduction of invasive species and impacts of climate change9.  Light pollution, particularly artificial light at night, is causing moth declines10.

 

Climate change has resulted in the local extinction of populations of montane butterflies11. The sensitivity of insects to environmental changes and their boom-and-bust population fluctuations make it difficult to disentangle short-term fluctuations from long-term trends12.  However, short generation times and rapid population growth can result in rapid recovery of populations if the environmental conditions are good. After going extinct in the UK, the Large Blue butterfly has been reintroduced to several sites in southwest Britain (including a site the Society co-owns at Daneway Banks) following successful conservation underpinned by science13.

 

Landscape scale approaches to insect conservation are needed to support metapopulation networks of species. Improving landscape connectivity can help insects respond and adapt to climate change. Many agricultural landscapes are inhospitable to insects unless there are conservation set-asides and patches of natural habitats to provide corridors and stepping-stone habitats14.

 

There is a need for further long-term investment and research in understanding insect trends. The Grand Challenges in Entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades1 published by the RES in early 2023 identified 61 key priority challenges with some specifically focused on insect declines and gaps in current scientific research.  These include:

 

 

Each of the priority challenges identified by leading entomologists and RES members from around the globe require research prioritisation and funding to gain better understanding of insect abundance and diversity at a time of a climate and biodiversity crisis9,12.

 

 

1 Luke, S.H., Roy, H.E., Thomas, C.D., Tilley, L.A.N., Ward, S., Watt, A. et al. (2023) Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 16(2), 173189. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12637

2 Losey, J.E. & Vaughan, M. (2006) The economic value of ecological services provided by insects. Bioscience, 56(4), 311323.

3 Powney, G.D., Carvell, C., Edwards, M. et al. Widespread losses of pollinating insects in Britain. Nat Commun 10, 1018 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-08974-9

4 Stork, N.E. (2018) How many species of insects and other terrestrial arthropods are there on earth? Annual Review of Entomology, 63(1),

3145.

5 van Klink, Roel, et al. "Emerging technologies revolutionise insect ecology and monitoring." Trends in ecology & evolution (2022).

6 Bjerge, K.; Nielsen, J.B.; Sepstrup, M.V.; Helsing-Nielsen, F.; Høye, T.T. An Automated Light Trap to Monitor Moths (Lepidoptera) Using Computer Vision-Based Tracking and Deep Learning. Sensors 2021, 21, 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21020343

7 Fox R, Dennis EB, Purdy KM, Middlebrook I, Roy DB, Noble DG, Botham MS & Bourn NAD (2023) The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham, UK.

8 Outhwaite, C.L., Gregory, R.D., Chandler, R.E. et al. Complex long-term biodiversity change among invertebrates, bryophytes and lichens. Nat Ecol Evol 4, 384–392 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1111-z

9 Eggleton, P. (2020) The State of the World’s Insects. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45, 8.1–8.22

10 Boyes, D.H., Evans, D.M., Fox, R., Parsons, M.S. and Pocock, M.J.O. (2021), Is light pollution driving moth population declines? A review of causal mechanisms across the life cycle. Insect Conserv Divers, 14: 167-187. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12447 

11 FRANCO, A.M.A., HILL, J.K., KITSCHKE, C., COLLINGHAM, Y.C., ROY, D.B., FOX, R., HUNTLEY, B. and THOMAS, C.D. (2006), Impacts of climate warming and habitat loss on extinctions at species' low-latitude range boundaries. Global Change Biology, 12: 1545-1553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01180.x

12 G-Science Academies Statement 2020 – Global insect declines and the potential erosion of vital ecosystem services

13 Thomas, JA, Simcox, DJ, Clarke, RT (2009) Successful conservation of a threatened Maculinea butterfly. Science 325, 80-83.

14 Threadgill, K.R.D., McClean, C.J., Hodgson, J.A., Jones, N. and Hill, J.K. (2020), Agri-environment conservation set-asides have co-benefits for connectivity. Ecography, 43: 1435-1447. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.05127

 

  1. The effects of pesticides, such as neonicotinoids or other agricultural control methods on insects including pollinators and their impact on UK food security.

It is well documented that pesticides can have detrimental impacts on non-target insects.  The negative impacts on physiology and survival of invertebrates can be seen in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats15.  Research published from the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) in February 2023, examined neonicotinoids and their substitutes in sustainable pest control16.  This research concluded that existing restrictions on neonicotinoids should be continued but also minimise use even in emergency situations.  This was primarily due to the growing evidence around the impacts on severity of associated insect decline. 

 

The conclusions from the EASAC report also state that maintaining and increasing food security remain a priority.  It is therefore important that the UK focuses on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture.  Whilst IPM has been used for several years, it has also continued to evolve. For successful IPM application innovation is needed with sustainable crop protection innovations (e.g., resistant plant varieties, biopesticides, pheromones, Artificial intelligence decision support systems, agronomy). A paper written by Dara in 2022 suggested that the original models of IPM primarily focused on ecological models17.  However, it was suggested that with business and sustainability aspects, IPM should consider human, environmental, social and economic factors influencing food production. A general uptake of IPM by the farming community will only happen once evidence of the effectiveness of the more sustainable methods are available and demonstrated. IPM is more knowledge intensive than the traditional pesticide applications, hence support and assistance will need to be provided to farmers for this transition.

 

Some studies have shown that pesticides do not significantly reduce insect pest populations in the presence of their natural enemies. This reinforces the need to take evidence-based approaches to IPM and keep pesticide use under close review to conserve natural enemies in agricultural systems and only use pesticides where efficacy is proven and they work in harmony with naturally occurring controls, such as predators and parasitoids18.

 

Improvements in testing practices for pesticides are needed. The current pesticide safety assessment system is based on simplified tests that are limited to a few “surrogate species”, mainly adult workers of the honeybee.  However, it is known that the effects of pesticides will vary across developmental stages and insect species19. Data on toxicity should consider not only measurement of survival but also include sub-lethal effects on behaviour. Emerging data indicate that high-dimensional molecular methods provide an invaluable insight into the effects of pesticides and offer a modern solution for new testing practices19,20,21,22. Unlike traditional assays, where only a few selected phenotypic traits are studied, modern molecular methods provide a more comprehensive outlook on the effects of pesticides on metabolism throughout an insect’s body23 and make it possible to compare the effects between castes of social insects and insect species20,21. Post-registration safety monitoring of pesticides must be implemented to respond to unintended and unforeseen impacts on ecosystems, soil and water.

 

Baseline data on farm biodiversity, insect pest abundance, occurrence and effect on crop yields are lacking or outdated, and fundamental research and surveys to renew this knowledge in current climate conditions is urgently needed.  The RES encourages further investment and research into Integrated Pest Management, and it is important that peer-reviewed research under practical and realistic conditions is completed before bans are imposed.  It is also important that such research is independent, and long term (at least five years). Insect communities experiencing long term intensive pesticide use are likely to take many years to recover, and short-term studies (3 years or less) would not be expected to measure the beneficial effects of management to encourage natural enemies.

 

The Royal Entomological Society recently published the scientific paper entitled Grand Challenges in Entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades1Several themes and priority actions have been identified by entomologists relating to the control of pests and its interaction with land management more generally:

 

These key priorities show significant gaps in understanding and therefore the risks to insects and associated impacts on food security remain a challenge.  Further research is needed in these key priority areas to better understand pest management, and therefore improve food security.

 

 

 

 

15 Pisa, L.W., Amaral-Rogers, V., Belzunces, L.P. et al. Effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on non-target invertebrates. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 68–102 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3471-x

16 European Academies Science Advisory Council.  Neonicotinoids and their substitutes in sustainable pest control. (2023).

17 Surendra K Dara, The New Integrated Pest Management Paradigm for the Modern Age, Journal of Integrated Pest Management, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2019, 12, https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmz010

18 Janssen, A., & van Rijn, P.C.J (2021).  Pesticides do not significantly reduce arthropod pest densities in the presence of natural enemies.  Ecology Letters, 24(9), 2010-2024. doi://https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13819

19 Witwicka, A., López-Osorio, F., Patterson, V., & Wurm, Y. (2023). Expression of subunits of an insecticide target receptor varies across tissues, life stages, castes, and species of social bees. Molecular Ecology, 32, 1034 1044. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16811

20 Colgan, TJ, Fletcher, IK, Arce, AN, et al. Caste- and pesticide-specific effects of neonicotinoid pesticide exposure on gene expression in bumblebees. Mol Ecol. 2019; 28: 1964 1974. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15047

21 López-Osorio, F., & Wurm, Y.  (2020).  Healthy pollinatorsEvaluating pesticides    with    molecular    medicine    approaches.    Trends    in    Ecology   &   Evolution, 35(5), 380– 383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.12.012

22 Merissa G. Cullen, Liam Bliss, Dara A. Stanley, James C. Carolan, Investigating the effects of glyphosate on the bumblebee proteome and microbiota, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 864, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161074.

23 Tsvetkov, N., & Zayed, A. (2021). Searching beyond the streetlight: Neonicotinoid exposure alters the neurogenomic state of worker honeybees. Ecology and Evolution, 11, 18733 18742. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8480

 

  1. The extent that biodiversity initiatives, such as creating reservoir populations, are addressing insect decline and whether there is sufficient co-ordination with the UK food system.

Several biodiversity initiatives, such as Farmer Clusters (https://farmerclusters.com) have demonstrated successes with conservation on agricultural land.  These are often more successful when management practices are coproduced by conservation managers and farmers24.  The RES supports the call for more nature-friendly land-use practices in general to mitigate insect declines and re-establish insect diversity through the conservation of important habitats and populations, and the improved connectivity between those25.

 

Whilst these schemes have demonstrated success, the IPBES global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services in 201926 shows anthropogenic impacts on the biosphere and biodiversity to be significant.  The current food system, including that of the UK, is a major driver of biodiversity loss 26,27,28.

 

The RES supports the approach and focus of the Farming, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use and Energy (FABLE) consortium.  The consortium published research in February 202327 that gave alternative pathways for Wales to achieve nature-positive and carbon-neutral land-use and food systems.  Investment in research programmes to address food systems and insect decline is urgently needed. In many cases, the baseline data are insufficient. 

 

 

 

 

24 Hurley, P., Lyon, J., Hall, J., Little, R., Tsouvalis, J., White, V. & Rose, D. C. (2022). Co-designing the environmental land management scheme in England: The why, who and how of engaging ‘harder to reach’ stakeholders. People and Nature, 4, 744 757.  http://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10313  

25 Habel, J.C., Samways, M.J. & Schmitt, T. Mitigating the precipitous decline of terrestrial European insects: Requirements for a new strategy. Biodivers Conserv 28, 1343–1360 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01741-8

26 IPBES (2019): Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. S. Díaz, et al. IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany.

27 Jones, S.K., Monjeau, A., Perez-Guzman, K. et al. Integrated modeling to achieve global goals: lessons from the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-use, and Energy (FABLE) initiative. Sustain Sci 18, 323–333 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-023-01290-8

28 Rockström, J., Edenhofer, O., Gaertner, J. et al. Planet-proofing the global food system. Nat Food 1, 3–5 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-019-0010-4

 


  1. Whether the threat to UK food security from insect decline receives sufficient cross-government priority.

The threat to UK food security from insect decline needs interdisciplinary and cross-agency consideration.  Whilst the risks to certain insect species have been identified, the impacts on most other insect species remain unclear, and without dedicated investment and research, the impacts on food security will remain uncertain.  The Royal Entomological Society would encourage a longer-term and cross-departmental approach that invests in monitoring and research across insect science.  

 

The commitment to improving the overall status of declining species groups including butterflies and other pollinating insects in the DEFRA 25 year Environment Plan is strongly supported by the RES.  The subsequent Environmental Improvement Plan has a number of goals which the RES also strongly supports including:

 

 

However, a more integrated approach, with targets across government departments is needed to enable real progress towards these goals, as well as the Global Biodiversity Framework target 3 set at the COP15 in December 2022.  This approach would positively start to address the issues of insect decline and threat to the UK food system.

 


  1. Additional policy initiatives and solutions needed in the UK and internationally to reduce and reverse the trends in insect decline.

The Royal Entomological Society welcomes the opportunity to discuss a range of policy areas as an independent voice.  In particular, the RES is concerned that entomological skills across the insect sciences are not prioritised in many undergraduate and postgraduate courses at universities. 

The Grand Challenges in Entomology paper1 identified priority challenges in this area including:

 

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) put together a consultation and report in 2014 (refreshed in 2017) to identify vulnerable skills within the UK bioscience research base29Entomology was highlighted as a subject area of concern within agriculture and food security. The RES strongly supports the report’s recommendations that funding is required for fundamental entomological science, especially in areas such as taxonomy/systematics, including molecular taxonomy, population genetic studies and functional genomics studies.

 

The paper also identified some key aspects of knowledge transfer that needed further research and investment including:

 

This analysis was further supported by a report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee in January 202230.  This report recognised that the UK did not have the requisite skills to deliver nature-based solutions at a scale to achieve net zero targets.  This report recognised that there was no formal assessment of the skills needed and therefore no route for training on the timescales required. 

 

The RES would encourage greater focus on these areas to gain a greater understanding of insects.  This would have a beneficial impact on improving entomological skills that could have a positive impact in reversing trends in insect decline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 BBSRC and MRC review of vulnerable skills and capabilities. (2014 – refreshed 2017).

30 House of Lords Science & Technology Committee.  Jan 2022. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5802/ldselect/ldsctech/147/14703.htm