Bees and other beneficial bugs are disproportionately harmed by air pollution compared to crop-destroying pests, a new study published in Nature Communications has found.
Researchers from the University of Reading analysed data from 120 scientific papers to understand how 40 types of insects in 19 countries respond to air pollutants like ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Pollinators - including bees and some moths and butterflies - experienced a 39% decline in foraging efficiency after being exposed to elevated air pollution levels. In contrast, plant-eating aphids and other pests were not significantly impacted.
The study, published today (Thursday, 11 July) in Nature Communications, has important implications for agriculture and food security.
Dr James Ryalls, of the University of Reading, led the study. He said: “Air pollution is an underappreciated threat to the insects that make our lives easier. The bees that pollinate our flowers and the wasps that provide natural pest control are at risk of further decline if air pollution levels are not addressed. We are facing a ‘lose-lose’ scenario where air pollution harms helpful insects without affecting pests, potentially leading to greater crop damage, reduced yields and less food on supermarket shelves. Insect populations are already declining globally, and even moderate levels of air pollutants are harming beneficial insects, meaning we need stricter air quality regulations to protect nature’s hardest workers.”
Posted On: 12/07/2024
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