Semantics of the insect decline narrative: recommendations for communicating insect conservation to peer and public audiences

Abstract

Ambiguous or misleading language can affect science communication with peer and public audiences, with potentially damaging impacts on policy and public engagement. The word decline can be value‐laden and has inherent negative connotations. It is not always the most appropriate term to use for effective science communication to promote insect biodiversity and conservation issues. We recommend four key questions to consider when deciding whether the term insect decline is appropriate to use. Evidence‐based insect conservation depends on public and political support. Moving forward, researchers and communicators should be mindful that the inherent diversity of insects demands a nuanced and diverse scientific discussion, not an ambiguous and generalised one.

Insect Decline—A Forensic Issue?

“…Follow-up studies confirmed the drastic decline of terrestrial insects e.g., [11][12][13][14] and led to newspaper headlines such as "The insect apocalypse is here" (The New York Times Magazine, 27 November 2018). However, there are conflicting critical voices about shortcomings in data selection and methodology of such studies like e.g., categorical versus continuous time series, temporal pseudoreplication, the application and comparison of different diversity metrics [15,16] or about data interpretation and communication [17,18]. There are even opposing findings, like the study by Crossley et al which states an apparent robustness of US arthropod populations and a lack of overall increase or decline [16].…”

Beyond the Decline of Wild Bees: Optimizing Conservation Measures and Bringing Together the Actors

“…From the accumulating knowledge and the efficiency of conservation measures, communicate more efficiently and accurately scientific results to broader audience is a keystone to establish solid conservation basis. Saunders et al [208] stated clearly how we should choose our words to bridge the gap between awareness and understanding. They highlighted the importance to use clear terminology and unambiguous concepts in communication, by namely specifying the taxonomic and geographic scale as well as the aim and the results of a research program.…”

Strong foraging preferences for Ribes alpinum (Saxifragales: Grossulariaceae) in the polyphagous caterpillars of Buff‐tip moth Phalera bucephala (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

“…A complete understanding of the diet breadth of a species provides fundamental knowledge about species' ecology, which can be useful for modeling species distribution and inform strategies for control of pest species (Clarke et al., 2011; Jaenike, 1990). Importantly, with the current recognition of the worldwide decline of insect species (Conrad et al., 2006; Didham et al., 2020; Saunders et al., 2020), particularly specialists (i.e., “functional homogenisation”, Clavel et al., 2011), there is an unprecedented urgency for documenting suitable host plants of threatened species as well as species that can become/are pests. With this knowledge, it is possible to incorporate natural history into eco‐evolutionary studies which will allow for informed decisions aimed to protect species in decline while mitigating negative effects of invasive or competitively superior species in a given ecosystem (Paine & Millar, 2002; Travis, 2020).…”