Science Fictions Episode 85: Insectageddon
9 snips
Sep 24, 2025 Are insects disappearing? Dive into the alarming concept of 'insectageddon.' Discover shocking statistics, like a 75% decline in flying insect biomass in Germany. Learn about crucial research revealing that 40% of insect species are at risk of extinction. Explore how methodological errors shaped perceptions of insect decline. The discussion also covers the surprising rise of freshwater insects and the impact of pollinators like honeybees and varroa mites. Join in for insights on conservation measures that could change the trajectory of our planet's insects!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Big Headlines From Limited Data
- Single dramatic studies (like the 2017 Krefeld paper) can create outsized public panic about insect declines.
- Short, spotty sampling and limited geography make such broad claims unreliable.
Meta-Analysis Can Bias The Outcome
- Meta-analyses can be biased by their search strategy and inclusion criteria.
- The 2019 review used search terms that effectively excluded studies reporting increases, skewing conclusions.
Prefer Long Time-Series Sampling
- Use long time-series data (decades) rather than single-year snapshots to detect real insect trends.
- Prioritize continuous sampling sites to avoid noise from natural year-to-year variance.