Study finds insects are damaging plants at an unprecedented rate
This is especially notable given that 40 per cent of known insect species are now in decline and a third endangered.
Insect numbers are in decline - but these tiny creatures are causing unprecedented damage to plants, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Wyoming.
Scientists looked at herbivore damage on modern-day plants and compared that with fossilized leaves dating back nearly 67 million years.
In a statement, lead researcher Lauren Azevedo-Schmidt called the differences "striking".
The study found that leaves carbon-dated from 1955 to the present had, on average, twice the amount of insect-related damage compared to fossilized records dating back millions of years. This is especially notable given that 40 per cent of known insect species are now in decline and a third endangered.
The researchers say it's not clear if the modern-era destruction has impacted plants and their ecosystems.
As for what's causing the uptick in damage -- that's not clear either, but climate change, human activity, and invasive species have all likely played a role.
