Bug facts & stats

Question 1

About how wide was the wingspan of giant dragonfly-like insects that lived during the Carboniferous era?

Accepted Answer

about 55 to 70 cm. These ancient insects were far larger than any flying insect alive today, likely thanks to higher oxygen levels at the time.

Question 2

At least how many insect species extinctions have been documented since the year 1500?

Accepted Answer

at least 66. Many scientists believe the real number of insect extinctions is much higher, since many species vanish before being recorded.

Question 3

Terrestrial insect populations are estimated to be declining by about how much per decade?

Accepted Answer

about 9% per decade. That steady decline has raised concern among scientists about the long-term health of ecosystems that depend on insects.

Question 4

Insects are eaten as food in about what share of the world's nations, across roughly 3,000 ethnic groups?

Accepted Answer

about 80%. Entomophagy -- eating insects -- is far more common worldwide than many Western countries realize.

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