Insect conservation education and outreach

Abstract

In the last decade, many studies have shown changes in insect biodiversity at the global scale, highlighting an overall decline and turnover in community composition (e.g., Outhwaite et al. 2022). Both richness and abundance of insects have been affected negatively by multiple anthropogenic factors, including climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution, as well as their interactions. Such declines negatively influence ecosystem services that insects provide such as pollination, pest control, and decomposition of organic matter, and ultimately impact ecosystem functioning and human well-being. There is a need for urgent transformative actions not only by governments but also by societies and individuals to achieve key global biodiversity goals, beneftting biodiversity in general, including insects. Raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity to promote responsible decision-making among individuals is a top priority. For example, the frst Aichi biodiversity target is “people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably” (Butchart et al. 2016). This has been achieved quite successfully with some insect groups such as bees, but recent discussions on global insect decline have to some extent broadened the importance of other insect groups. Reaching the frst Aichi target requires effective educational strategies and programmes that help in (i) increasing awareness and understanding of conservation; (ii) establishing a dialogue and fostering trust between the science and the public; (iii) promoting knowledge, collaboration, and motivation for conservation; (iv) developing a sense of responsibility and urgency; (v) reducing misconceptions that impede conservation initiatives; and (vi) increasing the capacity of society to support insect conservation. However, there is a need for knowledge, techniques, planning, frameworks, and support to implement outreach programmes on insect conservation. Here, we present various techniques used in insect conservation outreach, provide multiple case studies from different parts of the world, and conclude with recommendations for future directions and developments.