Study: Global Warming Can Make Insects Hungrier

A new study found that global warming can boost insects’ appetite for grain crops. The study revealed that the increase in global temperature could speed up insects’ metabolism, forcing them to consume more food. Records show that insects eat roughly 10% of the world’s crops, like wheat, rice, and corn. The study’s researchers warned that if the temperature continues to rise, the amount of global crops consumed by insects might increase to 15 to 20%. The researchers arrived at this conclusion after examining 38 species of insects that feed on wheat, rice, and corn. Following an observation of how often the insects ate and reproduced in warmer climates, the researchers found that crop fields in temperate regions like the United States, France, and China will be severely affected. Lead researcher Curtis Deutsch [doich] explained that insects in these regions are living in conditions with extremely cool temperatures. According to Deutsch, some of these insects become inactive during winter and majority of them can survive a winter with a warmer temperature. Because the insects will have faster metabolisms in warmer temperatures, they will grow and proliferate faster, putting crops at risk. As a result, the diminishing crop harvests will put a strain on global food supplies. Co-researcher Scott Merrill said that developed countries can use more pesticides to control insect population. However, Merill admitted that developing countries might have difficulty protecting their crops. Meanwhile, Rob Dunn, an ecologist who was not a part of the study, claimed that biodiversity is the long-term solution to the decreasing global food supplies. He explained that humans need to stop relying on wheat, rice, and corn, and should start exploring other options.