What has happened to all the bugs?

[watsup]

Yet another result of the rampant overpopulation of homo sapless and their also rampant use of insecticides in the most developed nations. No, it’s not a good thing to kill huge numbers of bugs. It may be the canary in the coal mine.

“
Factors behind the decline include, perhaps foremost among them, habitat changes wrought by humans, such as deforestation, and conversion of natural habitats for agriculture. In Europe and North America, the decline of small family farms, known for open pastures, hedgerows, and other areas where “weedy” plants like wildflowers can grow—areas that are perfect for insects—has certainly played a part, Wagner adds, as has the draining of wetlands and swamps.

Along with agriculture comes the use of chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides. Insecticides, unsurprisingly, hurt non-target species, and neonicotinoids have been implicated in the worldwide decline of bees. Pesticides may play a role in one-eighth of the species’ declines featured in the study. (Related: 9 ways you can help bees and other pollinators at home.)

Climate change undoubtedly plays a big role as well, especially extremes of weather such as droughts, which are likely to increase in intensity, duration, and frequency in the future, Wagner says. Other factors include invasive species, parasites, and diseases.

Insects serve as the base of the food web, eaten by everything from birds to small mammals to fish. If they decline, everything else will as as well, Sánchez-Bayo explains.
They also provide invaluable “services” to humanity, including plant pollination, says John Losey, an entomologist at Cornell University. About three-fourths of all flowering plants are pollinated by insects, as well as the crops that produce more than one-third of the world’s food supply.”

Why insect populations are plummeting—and why it matters

A new study suggests that 40 percent of insect species are in decline, a sobering finding that has jarred researchers worldwide.

www.nationalgeographic.com

 

[ecofarm]

One thing is disappearing at a faster rate than species. Language represents human perspective and it's no surprise a loss of that accompanies a loss of natural habitat. We're moving towards a monoculture in our minds and on the land.

 

[VySky]

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

After lying dormant for nearly 20 years, the cacophonous 17-year cicadas will soon emerge from their subterranean slumber pods, ready to bring their “head-splitting” noise to the East Coast.

“The end of May through June, it can get pretty loud,” said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, told USA Today of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

‘Head-splitting’ 17-year cicadas to descend on East Coast

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

nypost.com

 

[watsup]

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

After lying dormant for nearly 20 years, the cacophonous 17-year cicadas will soon emerge from their subterranean slumber pods, ready to bring their “head-splitting” noise to the East Coast.

“The end of May through June, it can get pretty loud,” said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, told USA Today of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

‘Head-splitting’ 17-year cicadas to descend on East Coast

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

nypost.com

What does news about a single species of insects have to do with the huge decline of bugs in general?
Answer: nothing.

 

[ecofarm]

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

After lying dormant for nearly 20 years, the cacophonous 17-year cicadas will soon emerge from their subterranean slumber pods, ready to bring their “head-splitting” noise to the East Coast.

“The end of May through June, it can get pretty loud,” said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, told USA Today of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

‘Head-splitting’ 17-year cicadas to descend on East Coast

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

nypost.com

No one has ever considered them extinct. You know that, right? So how does your post make sense.

 

[VySky]

No one has ever considered them extinct. You know that, right?

Where did you get the idea they were extinct?

 

[ecofarm]

Where did you get the idea they were extinct?

Bug species are going extinct at an alarming rate. This is accompanied by drastic falls in expected populations. Scientists are well aware of the news article you got from google. That you think googling and pasting a random article is relevant to the discussion displays a depth of ignorance.

 

[Dittohead not!]

Everything on Earth is attached to everything else, including humans and insects. This is a troubling trend. Many crops on which we depend for food depend in turn on beneficial insects.
And, it's not just insects. Other invertebrates are on the road to extinction, as are some species of fish. Our current lifestyle is not sustainable.

 

[Chomsky]

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

After lying dormant for nearly 20 years, the cacophonous 17-year cicadas will soon emerge from their subterranean slumber pods, ready to bring their “head-splitting” noise to the East Coast.

“The end of May through June, it can get pretty loud,” said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, told USA Today of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

‘Head-splitting’ 17-year cicadas to descend on East Coast

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

nypost.com

I hate to admit it, but I love the damn things. It's an amazing phenomena, isn't?

 

[vesper]

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

After lying dormant for nearly 20 years, the cacophonous 17-year cicadas will soon emerge from their subterranean slumber pods, ready to bring their “head-splitting” noise to the East Coast.

“The end of May through June, it can get pretty loud,” said Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University, told USA Today of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

‘Head-splitting’ 17-year cicadas to descend on East Coast

They’re back from their decade-plus-long dirt nap.

nypost.com

It isn't just the East Coast that will be plagued with those disgusting looking creatures. There's a lot of Midwest states that will be plagued also. Here in Ohio they are already showing up.

In my area while everyone was concerned about the decline of the honey bee population, we did not experience it in my area. Ants, Japanese beetles, aphids, mosquitoes, ticks, spider mites, spiders, praying mantis, flies, June bugs, are certainly not in short supply. But what I have noticed over the past few years are species of spiders, moths, caterpillars and beetles that I have never seen before.

 

[Phys251]

In my area while everyone was concerned about the decline of the honey bee population, we did not experience it in my area.

That's not evidence. That's a personal observation.

 

[Helix]

i hear that bedbugs are doing ok at some hotels and resorts.

 

[Lovebug]

i hear that bedbugs are doing ok at some hotels and resorts.

So are our Japanese Beetles. Tried Neem oil, tried traps, since they are back, we are knocking them in a can of soapy water.

 

[Helix]

So are our Japanese Beetles. Tried Neem oil, tried traps, since they are back, we are knocking them in a can of soapy water.

one of those got in my dad's ear about ten years ago when he was mowing. he had to go to the hospital to have it removed. he puts cotton in his ears every time he does outside work now.

 

[Airyaman]

Bug species are going extinct at an alarming rate. This is accompanied by drastic falls in expected populations. Scientists are well aware of the news article you got from google. That you think googling and pasting a random article is relevant to the discussion displays a depth of ignorance.

Why are people wanting me to eat bugs then?

I'm being half-serious here. If bugs are going extinct, why has there been a craze these past few years to make insects a new source of protein?

 

[ecofarm]

Why are people wanting me to eat bugs then?

I'm being half-serious here. If bugs are going extinct, why has there been a craze these past few years to make insects a new source of protein?

Not all bugs are going extinct. Some, there's too many and they're edible. I'm not gonna be a girl about it. I don't think it's a big deal. Not gonna squeal.

 

[watsup]

It isn't just the East Coast that will be plagued with those disgusting looking creatures. There's a lot of Midwest states that will be plagued also. Here in Ohio they are already showing up.

In my area while everyone was concerned about the decline of the honey bee population, we did not experience it in my area. Ants, Japanese beetles, aphids, mosquitoes, ticks, spider mites, spiders, praying mantis, flies, June bugs, are certainly not in short supply. But what I have noticed over the past few years are species of spiders, moths, caterpillars and beetles that I have never seen before.

I suspect that just like others, you no longer have a windshield full of bugs and butterflies when you drive, as was totally common just a few decades ago, whether on the freeway or rural roads. How do you know that the honey bee population has not declined in your area? There used to be white clover all over the place in lawns, now there are entire upscale subdivisions where not a “weed” can be found, and bugs love “weeds” for sustenance, cover, and propagation . The destruction of the insect population due to the OVER population of Homo sapiens is a sin against nature.

 

[watsup]

i hear that bedbugs are doing ok at some hotels and resorts.

Again, as a result of human overpopulation as it is humans that are the “carriers” of bedbugs from one location to another, most often in their luggage.

 

[watsup]

Why are people wanting me to eat bugs then?

I'm being half-serious here. If bugs are going extinct, why has there been a craze these past few years to make insects a new source of protein?

People are eating plenty of species into extinction or near-extinction, especially in a populous place like China.

 

[vesper]

i hear that bedbugs are doing ok at some hotels and resorts.

You just can't avoid hotels when traveling. But when I arrive at a room, I peel down all the layers of bedding and pull the pillows out of the pillow cases and inspect everything. I keep all luggage off the floor and never walk on the floor in bare feet. Upon returning home, all luggage is left in the garage for a couple of days. Because wherever you've traveled bedbugs could be one thing you pick up along with all other kinds of bugs or something like a scorpion. Things you do not want to bring home. After the luggage has spent 2-3 days in the garage, then together we remove all clothes that were in the suitcases dividing into loads of laundry. Each load is put into a trash bag and anything in the suitcase that needs to be dry cleaned goes in a separate bag. One bag at a time is taken into the laundry room and immediately put in the washer. The luggage gets vacuumed inside and out then sprayed with a disinfectant before being put away. I know this may sound anal to many but it has served me well over many years.

 

[Helix]

You just can't avoid hotels when traveling. But when I arrive at a room, I peel down all the layers of bedding and pull the pillows out of the pillow cases and inspect everything. I keep all luggage off the floor and never walk on the floor in bare feet. Upon returning home, all luggage is left in the garage for a couple of days. Because wherever you've traveled bedbugs could be one thing you pick up along with all other kinds of bugs or something like a scorpion. Things you do not want to bring home. After the luggage has spent 2-3 days in the garage, then together we remove all clothes that were in the suitcases dividing into loads of laundry. Each load is put into a trash bag and anything in the suitcase that needs to be dry cleaned goes in a separate bag. One bag at a time is taken into the laundry room and immediately put in the washer. The luggage gets vacuumed inside and out then sprayed with a disinfectant before being put away. I know this may sound anal to many but it has served me well over many years.

nah, it doesn't sound overly cautious to me. i do like staying in hotels, and that's one of the few things that i don't worry about that much. i probably should, though. i don't travel a lot for work, so three or four years might pass by before i am in a hotel.

 

[vesper]

That's not evidence. That's a personal observation.

Observation is essential in science. Scientists use observation to collect and record data, which enables them to develop and then test hypotheses and theories. A personal observation in a particular area on this planet is not meant to be considered as "evidence". It is an observation. At no time was my post meant to be anything else. Then you come along to try and make it something else. You are dismissed.

 

[vesper]

nah, it doesn't sound overly cautious to me. i do like staying in hotels, and that's one of the few things that i don't worry about that much. i probably should, though. i don't travel a lot for work, so three or four years might pass by before i am in a hotel.

Helix I am under the impression you are a new daddy. Am I correct? If so, prepare yourself for when your child's school sends home a notice that there is an outbreak of head lice in their classroom. That was a tough one for me. I did not want this child I love to feel like they had cooties but every day I had to go through their hair. I hate bugs.

 

[Helix]

Helix I am under the impression you are a new daddy. Am I correct? If so, prepare yourself for when your child's school sends home a notice that there is an outbreak of head lice in their classroom. That was a tough one for me. I did not want this child I love to feel like they had cooties but every day I had to go through their hair. I hate bugs.

yep, and he's already in a day care that is kind of like pre K. i'm waiting on the lice thing. it could happen, especially because we all have longer hair now. i'll probably find out on a tired Thursday sometime that i need to stop off at the CVS and buy Rid or whatever they're treating it with these days.

the worst bugs, though, are the stomach bugs. i have not thrown up this much since i was in second grade or so. man, those kid daycare stomach bugs are brutal.

 

[Steve Case]

Climate change undoubtedly plays a big role as well, especially extremes of weather such as droughts,

The IPCC tells us: "Globally averaged mean water vapour, evaporation and precipitation are
projected to increase." IPCC AR4 Chapter ten page 750

Why is it that you reality deniers always scream drought for your favorite doom & gloom
fantasy when your bible tells you the opposite? Bedsides, the empirical record says you're
wrong too: