Activity overview

Run the activity

1. In pairs, discuss what might be a Plus, Minus and Interesting way to think about the question. Stuck for ideas? They could think about:

• What do insects do to help humans?
• How do insects help our ecosystem?
• What do you like or dislike about insects?

2. Ask the children to share their partner's ideas then encourage a broader discussion as a class, remember there is no wrong or right answer!

Background science

Insects are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet as the numbers of species of insects are more than any other group. In the world, some 900 thousand different kinds of living insects are known: roughly 80 percent of the world's species. Figures indicate that there are more than 200 million insects for each human on the planet!

Insects play a vital part in our ecosystem in many ways. They are an essential part of the food chain as some animals such as small birds, frogs and other reptiles and amphibians, survive almost entirely on a diet of insects. Without insects to eat, these animals would die and that in turn would eliminate the food source for animals further up the food chain. Humans also eat insects; they are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are prized as delicacies in some countries.

Insects are our pollinators. Nearly 90 percent of flowering plant species and 75 percent of crop plant species depend on pollination by animals – mostly insects. So much of the food eaten by humans relies on insect pollination in the growing and production process.

Insects play an important role as soil engineers, in aerating the soil and maintaining soil structure and fertility. Insects break down and decompose organic matter. By eating faeces, flies, beetles and other waste-loving wildlife prevent dung from building up in pastures, improve soils and even help control pests.

Insects are important environmental indicators as they are highly susceptible to changes in the environment. Although this might make them at risk from climate change, monitoring them closely helps humans to detect changes to the world’s habitats and climate.

Take it further

To find out more about insects, tap into the range of resources available from The Royal Entomological Society on the Insect Week page.

Also see Explorify What’s Going On? Busy bee and What if we ate insects? See also Odd One Out Friends of flowers.