IMPORTANCE OF INSECTS TO HUMANS
INTRODUCTION:
Approximately 80% of animal species on earth are insects, 99% are invertebrates. They are the pollinators, undertakers, leaf litter sweepers, garbage collectors, soil conditioners and natural fertilizer producers of nature.
THEIR IMPORTANCE
Humans depend on natural ecosystems of water, oxygen, sources of food and building materials, therefore the activities of insects in the following areas are of importance:-
1. POLLINATION: Flower color, shape and scent has evolved to attract their insect pollinators; e.g. bumble, solitary and squash bees, beetles, butterflies, flies and ants.
2. DECOMPOSITION & NUTRIENT CYCLING: Insects and their arthropod relatives are responsible for much of the nutrient cycling, conditioning and aeration of the soil; e.g. dung beetles, flies, carrion beetles, millipedes, cockroaches, & termites.
3. FOOD FOR WILDLIFE AND IN MEDICINE: Many different kinds of animals eat insects making them essential parts of the food chain; e.g.: amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, arthropods and other invertebrates, mammals (primates including humans).
4. PREDATORS, PARASITES & PARASITOIDS: Some insects provide natural population control of other insects, arthropods and vertebrates; e.g.: ladybird beetles, lacewings, parasite wasps
5. MEDICINE: Insects have been invaluable as research models.
INTRODUCTION:
Approximately 80% of animal species on earth are insects, 99% are invertebrates. They are the pollinators, undertakers, leaf litter sweepers, garbage collectors, soil conditioners and natural fertilizer producers of nature.
THEIR IMPORTANCE
Humans depend on natural ecosystems of water, oxygen, sources of food and building materials, therefore the activities of insects in the following areas are of importance:-
1. POLLINATION: Flower color, shape and scent has evolved to attract their insect pollinators; e.g. bumble, solitary and squash bees, beetles, butterflies, flies and ants.
2. DECOMPOSITION & NUTRIENT
Approximately 80% of animal species on earth are insects, 99% are invertebrates. They are the pollinators, undertakers, leaf litter sweepers, garbage collectors, soil conditioners and natural fertilizer producers of nature.
THEIR IMPORTANCE
Humans depend on natural ecosystems of water, oxygen, sources of food and building materials, therefore the activities of insects in the following areas are of importance:-
1. POLLINATION: Flower color, shape and scent has evolved to attract their insect pollinators; e.g. bumble, solitary and squash bees, beetles, butterflies, flies and ants.
2. DECOMPOSITION & NUTRIENT CYCLING: Insects and their arthropod relatives are responsible for much of the nutrient cycling, conditioning and aeration of the soil; e.g. dung beetles, flies, carrion beetles, millipedes, cockroaches, & termites.
3. FOOD FOR WILDLIFE AND IN MEDICINE: Many different kinds of animals eat insects making them essential parts of the food chain; e.g.: amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, arthropods and other invertebrates, mammals (primates including humans).
4. PREDATORS, PARASITES & PARASITOIDS: Some insects provide natural population control of other insects, arthropods and vertebrates; e.g.: ladybird beetles, lacewings, parasite wasps
5. MEDICINE: Insects have been invaluable as research models.
INTRODUCTION:
Approximately 80% of animal species on earth are insects, 99% are invertebrates. They are the pollinators, undertakers, leaf litter sweepers, garbage collectors, soil conditioners and natural fertilizer producers of nature.
THEIR IMPORTANCE
Humans depend on natural ecosystems of water, oxygen, sources of food and building materials, therefore the activities of insects in the following areas are of importance:-
1. POLLINATION: Flower color, shape and scent has evolved to attract their insect pollinators; e.g. bumble, solitary and squash bees, beetles, butterflies, flies and ants.
2. DECOMPOSITION & NUTRIENT