As Aneta Sikora from Karkonosze National Park emphasizes, we are currently experiencing an insect armageddon. They are dying in huge numbers, as can be seen, for example, in the case of fireflies.
Why is this happening?
There are three main factors contributing to the decline in the population of these nocturnal insects:
- the destruction of their habitats,
- excessive artificial light,
- chemical agents.
In fireflies, bioluminescence is a way of attracting a mate, and consequently, excess artificial light disrupts the rhythm of their mating behavior. In A. Sikora's view, we humans should therefore reconsider where we are headed.
There is another argument for taking care of insects. Indeed, some of them are dying en masse, but not all. There are actually more and more flies. The reason? A steadily shrinking number of predatory insects, which are the natural enemies of this extremely irritating insect. As a result, flies multiply enormously during certain periods.