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Scientists warn 'insect apocalypse' is coming

Insect Apocalypse - Level 0

The falling numbers of insects is a big danger. Half of all insects have died since the 1970s. Over 40 per cent of insect species could die in our lifetime. They are dying at a rate of 2.5 per cent a year. It is an "insect apocalypse". Scientists say there could be, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

Pesticides are killing insects. Fewer insects mean less food. Our crops depend on insects. Around 7.5 billion people will have no food without insects. A big worry is honeybees. The number of honeybee groups dropped a lot. A professor said: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."

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Insect Apocalypse - Level 1

Global warming isn't the only danger to humans. The falling numbers of insects is also dangerous. Half of all insects worldwide have been dying since the 1970s. Over 40 per cent of insect species could die in our lifetime. The number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent a year. It is an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now extinct. Scientists say this could cause, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

Pesticides used on farms and gardens are killing insects. Fewer insects mean we have less food. Three quarters of our crops depend on insects. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects. A big worry is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee groups dropped from six million in 1947 to 2.5 million in 2014. A professor warned that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."

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Insect Apocalypse - Level 2

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Scientists say global warming isn't the only threat to humans. Another big threat is the falling numbers of insects. Scientists say half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. They warn that over 40 per cent of insect species could die out in our lifetime. The number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. Scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now extinct. The scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

A professor said pesticides used for farming and gardening are killing insects. He said fewer insects mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops depend on insects....Crops will begin to fail. We won't have...strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." A worrying trend is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee groups dropped from six million in 1947 to 2.5 million in 2014. The professor warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."

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Insect Apocalypse - Level 3

Scientists say that global warming isn't the only serious threat to humans. Another major threat is the falling numbers of insects and the extinction of many species. Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die out in our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the past century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot of insects are being killed by pesticides used for farming and gardening. He said fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things like strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying trends is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies dropped from six million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."

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