Scientists estimate that insects make up 90 per cent of all species of animals on the planet, and more than half of all living things. In fact, the total weight of all the insects in the world is about 70 times more than all the people!
Insects help to maintain the balance of nature. They are important pollinators of trees, crops and other plants. They help to break down waste such as dead animals and they are an important food for many different creatures including fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
This edition of Footsteps takes a closer look at the many benefits of insects including the role they can play in tackling food insecurity, land degradation and climate change. It considers how to control pests without using damaging chemicals and celebrates the extraordinary life of the honey bee.
