Rapidly Declining Insect Numbers 'Threaten Collapse of Nature' Insect species could die out within the next 100 years. More than 40% of insect species are declining and one-third are endangered, Insect populations are declining by 2.5% per year, a rate eight times faster than mammals, birds and reptiles. Francisco Sánchez-Bayo, University of Sydney,
via 'The Guardian' Insect extinction could have ‘catastrophic’ effects on
the ecosystem. Birds, lizards and plants pollinated by insects could also become extinct. The primary cause of the rapid decline is intensive agriculture and heavy use of pesticides. Francisco Sánchez-Bayo, via 'The Guardian'