Why Can’t Fly Larvae Go Extinct?
WouterFly larvae are able to survive in a variety of conditions. For example, they can survive in hot springs and feed on petroleum. They also have an impressive sense of flight and evolved nervous systems. This means that these insects are not only necessary for the food chain, but are also beneficial to human civilization.
Fly larvae are capable of reproducing very quickly and are also fast enough to move from place to place for food and reproduction. As a result, flies are considered a nuisance in many urban areas, but they co-exist in places devoted to human habitation.
The decline in insect populations is a serious concern. Insects are the base of food webs, and their decline threatens the stability of our planet. Insects are also a major part of our food supply, which depends on pollination. A new paper reviews 75 studies on the topic and found that 40 percent of the insect species are declining and a third are endangered. The rate of decline is about two percent per year. If this continues, a quarter of insect species may go extinct in the next decade.
Climate change will affect many flies and other insects. One study on insects and global warming found that a variety of insects are already declining. This included the bone skipper fly, which comes out in winter and feeds on carcasses. It was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered a few years ago.
