On a warm summer afternoon, as you sit at a picnic table, a wasp lands near your plate or an ant crawls onto your hand. Almost instinctively, you swat, flick, and recoil. Our interaction with bugs, from complaining about itchy mosquito bites to combating invasive moths with insecticides, is primarily driven by fear, economic concerns, and health worries, according to ecologist Michelle Tseng.
“People are well-versed in the negative aspects,” Tseng stated. “And this negative perspective has prevailed.” With the onset of summer drawing Canadians back to gardens and parks, scientists and environmental stewards advocate for a shift in our perception of insects. They suggest replacing repulsion with appreciation for the crucial environmental roles insects fulfill.
“Most insects on Earth are beneficial and vital for maintaining ecosystem balance,” explained Tseng, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. “While most people are unaware of this fact, we don’t expect them to be.”
Children typically exhibit a deep curiosity about insects, as noted by zoologist Jo Wimpenny. However, between the ages of four and eight, they begin to adopt fear from parents, caregivers, and media influences. Wasps are depicted as “vicious,” and spiders as “sex-starved invaders.”
Wimpenny, the author of “Beauty of the Beasts: Rethinking Nature’s Least Loved Animals,” emphasized the drawbacks of oversimplification. She warned that we are currently experiencing a period of alarming biodiversity decline, with fear of insects, alongside factors like habitat loss, climate change, and insecticide use, hastening their diminishing numbers.
A 2019 global analysis revealed that over 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered. “Categorizing insects as good or bad overlooks a multitude of factors,” Wimpenny stressed.
In a Toronto garden belonging to Grant Minkhorst, a natural equilibrium has been gradually restored through companion planting, a common gardening technique where different plants are grown adjacently to mutually benefit one another. Aphids on his milkweed attract ladybugs that naturally control the aphid population, while native berry shrubs attract birds that prey on slugs.
Minkhorst now views garden insects and pests with little concern, aiming for their thriving and survival by viewing insects as allies. However, he remains vigilant about real dangers. Tseng stresses the importance of awareness and preventive measures in coexisting safely with insects.
As society navigates its relationship with insects, Tseng suggests drawing insights from Indigenous storytelling and frameworks that prioritize stewardship and gratitude towards the Earth. This approach emphasizes the reciprocal responsibility humans have in caring for nature and vice versa.
Wimpenny advocates for reshaping narratives where insects, including spiders, are not vilified. She encourages embracing new stories where insects are not feared but welcomed. When encountering an insect outdoors, Wimpenny recommends taking a moment to breathe, relax, and observe its behaviors, reflecting on your role within that ecosystem.
