Study: More Than 40 Percent Insect Species on Verge of Extinction

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New research, which is published in International Biological Conservation on February 10, reveals that over 40 percent of species of insect is on the verge of extinction. The study shows a great impact on the trend towards the future of the human.

As quoted from dw.com on Monday, February 11, the research led by Francisco Sanchez-Bayo of the University of Sydney and Kris A.G. Wyckhuy of the University of Queensland, the extinction will likely influence the biodiversity.

Insects that may be affected are butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles, and dragonflies among others.

"Our work reveals dramatic rates of decline that may lead to the extinction of 40 percent of the world's insect species over the next few decades," as quoted from the site, added that "affected insect groups not only include specialists that occupy particular ecological niches, but also many common and generalist species."

The researchers found many factors of the extinction, such as habitat loss, pollution, pesticides and biological factors, such as pathogens, as well as climate change in the tropical region.

However, the researchers did not further detail the cause and effect, they appealed to the public to be aware of potential disaster. The rethinking on the use of pesticide in the agricultural sector, researchers added, is required in a bid to recover the dropping populations of insect and preserve its vital ecosystem.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI | DW.COM | BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION