Welcome to The Buzz, your go-to pollinator conservation podcast. Today, we're diving into the remarkable and often overlooked history of insect conservation. From the early days when insects were ignored in favor of bigger, flashier species, to landmark moments like the publication of Silent Spring, the rise of the Xerces Society, and the listing of the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act, insect conservation has evolved dramatically. In this episode, we'll explore the pivotal events, policies, and public movements that brought insect conservation into the spotlight.

This podcast is supported in part by the USDA, NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management - Extension Implementation Program, award number 2024-70006-43752.. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA. 

In the first half of the 20th century, insects rarely received conservation attention. Most early environmental efforts focused on charismatic animals like pandas, elephants, and whales. Insects were typically seen as pests to be managed not species to be protected. But by the 1930s and 1940s, some ecologists and entomologists began to raise concerns about pollinator declines. Even then, this was mostly an academic conversation. 

A true turning point came in 1962, when marine biologist Rachel Carson published her groundbreaking book Silent Spring, which revealed the devastating ecological impacts of synthetic pesticides like DDT not only on birds and fish, but also on insects. Carson warned of a future where no insects would remain to fill the air with their buzzing and pollinate the food we depend on. The book sparked widespread public outcry, led to the banning of DDT in the U.S. by 1972, and laid the foundation for modern environmental policy. 

In 1973, the passage of the U.S. Endangered Species Act gave conservationists a powerful legal tool to protect wildlife and, eventually, insects. While the early years of the ESA mostly focused on mammals and birds, it did provide a pathway for insects to be listed and protected, with species like the Karner blue butterfly and American burying beetle receiving official endangered status in 1989 and 1992 respectively.

During the 1980s, insect-focused nonprofit organizations started to gain traction, with one of the most important being the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Originally founded in 1971 and named after the extinct Xerces blue butterfly, the organization expanded in the following decades to become a leader in pollinator protection. Xerces has been instrumental in translating science into action promoting native plantings, reducing pesticide use, and helping farmers, gardeners, and land managers create insect-friendly landscapes.

The rise of the monarch butterfly in the 1990s marks a key moment when insect conservation became emotionally resonant and publicly visible. Before that, insects were rarely used in outreach or as conservation symbols. The monarch changed that. Its large size, beauty, and epic migration captured public imagination in a way that other insects hadn't and it paved the way for broader pollinator conservation efforts, including funding, education, and legislation. 

In 2006, beekeepers around the country began reporting massive losses of honey bee colonies, a phenomenon that came to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Public alarm surged, and research quickly pointed to multiple contributing factors: pesticide exposure, loss of flower-rich habitat, parasites like Varroa mites which transmit deadly viruses, and poor nutrition.  Although honey bees are not native to North America, their plight helped bring attention to the struggles of native bees as well. The crisis sparked new research, new legislation, and new public concern about insect health. 

That growing concern led to broader government action. In 2014, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum creating the Pollinator Health Task Force, which produced the first-ever National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators in 2015. This federal strategy established clear goals for improving pollinator habitat, reversing monarch decline, and increasing honey bee survival.

In 2019, a global scientific review titled, Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers reported that over 40% of insect species worldwide were at risk of extinction, citing habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and invasive species as major drivers. The alarming findings dubbed the insect apocalypse--were widely covered in the media and fueled calls for large-scale, coordinated conservation efforts.

Now insect conservation is becoming a mainstream movement. From urban pollinator corridors to statewide planting incentives, communities are working to rebuild insect habitat one backyard, schoolyard, and roadside at a time. Citizen science is playing a growing role, too. Projects like iNaturalist, Monarch Joint Venture, Bumble Bee Watch, and the Great Sunflower Project empower people of all ages to contribute meaningful data to insect research and foster a personal connection to the natural world.

Technology is also advancing the field. DNA barcoding, remote sensors, and artificial intelligence are improving how we monitor insect populations. These tools are helping scientists track species decline, identify critical habitat, and evaluate conservation strategies faster and more accurately than ever before.

Looking ahead, the future of insect conservation will depend on continued collaboration between governments, scientists, farmers, cities, schools, and individuals. We've recognized that protecting insects isn't just about biodiversity it's about food security, climate resilience, and the health of our entire planet.

So what can you do? Plant native flowers and incorporate flowering plants into your lawn. Skip the pesticides and instead incorporate plants which attract beneficial insects to manage pest populations. Talk to your neighbors about pollinator-friendly policies. And if you're inspired to get involved, check out programs like the Xerces Society, Monarch Watch, or North Dakota State University Pollinator Conservation. 

Until next time, remember that even the smallest actions like planting a flower or logging an insect sighting can ripple outward to protect our planet's tiniest heroes. Together, we can make room for insects to thrive. 

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