A growing interest in insect conservation needs to become global action

A growing understanding of the importance of insect conservation needs to be harnessed and turned into global action, a Harper Adams expert has said.

Harper Adams Professor of Entomology Simon Leather is among a range of European academics who are calling for a stronger focus on insect conservation who have been in a new article in the European Commission’s research and innovation-focussed magazine, Horizon.

While there is a general perception that public attitudes towards insects are improving, Dr Leather believes more work is needed globally to emphasise the vital importance of insect conservation.

He tells the magazine: “There is growing momentum, but we need to see more investment. Funding and media attention, including popular TV programmes, is still very much vertebrate-focused – particularly mammals, which eat up a substantial proportion of research and charity funding.”

You can read the full piece here.