Insects are essential to vertebrate life—as food, shelter and medicine
While insects provide an essential food source for many vertebrate species, they're more than just a protein-laden snack. Chimpanzees use them to sterilize wounds, and herons use them as fishing bait. Sloths rely on moths to maintain the algae in their fur, which they then eat. Birds and reptiles lay their eggs inside the temperature-controlled sanctuary of termite mounds, while some desert frogs…
Insects hold vital importance for vertebrate life, serving as food, shelter, and medicine for various species. Chimpanzees utilize insects to clean wounds, herons employ them as fishing bait, and sloths depend on moths to maintain the algae in their fur. Birds and reptiles lay eggs in termite mounds, while some desert frogs reside in ant nests due to the humidity they provide.
In the words of Eliza Grames, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Binghamton University, insects are often referred to as the "little things that run the world" due to their crucial role in Earth's ecosystems. The review paper, published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, emphasizes the diverse roles insects play beyond being a protein-rich snack, highlighting their significance as pollinators, decomposers, and food sources for vertebrates.
The paper, which involved authors from eight countries, was led by Grames alongside Rob Cooke and Chris Elphick, and stresses the need for increased collaboration between vertebrate and insect researchers for effective conservation strategies. With an estimated 14 to 30 million insect species worldwide, their decline could have significant consequences for vertebrate populations.
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