List of endangered insects facts for kids
Many insects around the world are in danger of disappearing forever. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps a list of these creatures. In 2017, they listed 343 insect species as "endangered." This means these insects face a very high chance of becoming extinct.
Some insects are even more at risk, called "critically endangered." There are 538 insect species that are either endangered or critically endangered. The IUCN also notes that for many insects, there isn't enough information to know their status. These are called "data deficient" species. Even without full information, these species often live in small areas or have small populations, making them likely to be threatened. It's important to pay attention to them too.
This article shares some examples of insects that are currently endangered.
Cockroaches (Blattodea)
Cockroaches are an ancient group of insects. While some are pests, many live in the wild and play important roles in their ecosystems. Several species of wild cockroaches are now endangered. For example, the Gerlach's cockroach (Nocticola gerlachi) is one of the species facing a high risk of extinction.
Grasshoppers and Crickets (Orthoptera)
The order Orthoptera includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. There are 91 species and two subspecies in this group that are endangered. These insects are known for their jumping abilities and the sounds they make.
Lentulids
Lentulids are a family of grasshoppers. Some endangered species include the Slender restio grasshopper (Betiscoides meridionalis) and the Small restio grasshopper (Betiscoides parva). These grasshoppers often live in specific plant habitats.
Tetrigids
Tetrigids are also known as pygmy grasshoppers or ground hoppers. They are usually small and blend in well with their surroundings. Endangered species in this group include Amphinotus nymphula and Amphinotus pupulus.
Monkey Grasshoppers (Euschmidtiids)
Monkey grasshoppers are a unique group. The Jagos monkey grasshopper (Chromomastax jagoi) and the Ufipa monkey grasshopper (Euschmidtia fitzgeraldi) are examples of endangered species from this family.
Mogoplistids
Mogoplistids are a type of cricket. They are often found in tropical areas. Ectatoderus aldabrae and Ornebius stenus are among the endangered species in this family.
Stone Grasshoppers (Pamphagids)
Stone grasshoppers are often large and camouflaged to look like rocks. The Parnassos stone grasshopper (Glyphanus obtusus) and the Lanzarote stick grasshopper (Purpuraria magna) are endangered.
Crickets (Gryllidae)
Many types of crickets are endangered. The Seychelles palm cricket (Metioche bolivari) is one such species. Another is the Laricis tree cricket (Oecanthus laricis).
Acridids
Acridids are a large family of grasshoppers, including many common types. Endangered species include the Uluguru slender grasshopper (Acanthoxia aculeus) and the Seychelles palm grasshopper (Enoplotettix gardineri).
Bush-crickets (Tettigoniids)
Bush-crickets, also called katydids, are known for their long antennae and often green color. The Big-bellied glandular bush-cricket (Bradyporus macrogaster) and the Gran Canaria green bush-cricket (Calliphona alluaudi) are endangered.
Phaneropterids
This family includes many leaf-like katydids. The Cyprian plump bush-cricket (Isophya mavromoustakisi) and the Pindos bright bush-cricket (Poecilimon pindos) are examples of endangered species here.
Bees and Wasps (Hymenoptera)
Hymenoptera is a large group that includes bees, wasps, and ants. Many of these insects are vital for pollinating plants. Several species of bees are endangered, such as the Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii) and Bombus dahlbomii.
Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)
Lepidoptera is the order of butterflies and moths. There are 51 species in this group that are endangered. These insects are famous for their beautiful wings and their role in pollination.
Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)
Swallowtail butterflies are large and often brightly colored. The Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is the largest butterfly in the world and is endangered. Other endangered species include the Apo Swallowtail (Graphium sandawanum) and the Homerus swallowtail (Papilio homerus).
Lycaenids
Lycaenids are often called "blues" or "coppers" because of their colors. They are typically small butterflies. The Illidge's ant blue (Acrodipsas illidgei) and the Bathurst copper (Paralucia spinifera) are endangered species in this family.
Nymphalids
Nymphalids are also known as brush-footed butterflies. This large family includes many well-known butterflies. Endangered species include the Seychelles crow (Euploea mitra) and the Madeiran speckled wood (Pararge xiphia).
Other Endangered Butterflies and Moths
Other endangered Lepidoptera species include the Madeiran brimstone (Gonepteryx maderensis), a yellow butterfly, and the Fabulous green sphinx moth (Tinostoma smaragditis).
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Beetles make up the largest order of insects, with many different shapes and sizes. There are 72 beetle species assessed as endangered.
Diving Beetles (Dytiscids)
Diving beetles live in freshwater habitats. Agabus clypealis and Rhantus alutaceus are examples of endangered species in this family.
Stag Beetles (Lucanidae)
Stag beetles are known for the large, antler-like jaws of the males. Colophon barnardi and Dorcus alexisi are among the endangered stag beetles.
Geotrupids
Geotrupids are often called earth-boring dung beetles. Many species in the Thorectes genus, like Thorectes balearicus, are endangered.
Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae)
Longhorn beetles have very long antennae. The Pitt Island longhorn beetle (Xylotoles costatus) is an endangered species from this group.
Scarabaeids
This family includes dung beetles, chafers, and scarabs. The Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle (Cheirotonus jambar) and the Shadowy chafer (Mellissius adumbratus) are endangered.
Other Endangered Beetles
Other endangered beetle species include the Sacramento beetle (Anthicus sacramento), the Columbia river tiger beetle (Cicindela columbica), and the Violet click beetle (Limoniscus violaceus).
Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Odonata includes dragonflies and damselflies, known for their beautiful wings and aerial hunting skills. There are 97 species and 19 subspecies in this order assessed as endangered.
Platystictids
Platystictids are a family of damselflies. The Cacao shadowdamsel (Palaemnema baltodanoi) and Palaemnema orientalis are endangered species.
Platycnemidids
This family includes featherlegs and threadtails. The Jungle threadtail (Elattoneura caesia) and the Pilbara threadtail (Nososticta pilbara) are endangered.
Megapodagrionids
These are often called flatwings or broad-winged damselflies. The Jamaican hypolestes (Hypolestes clara) is an endangered species.
Gomphids
Gomphids are clubtail dragonflies. Many species in the Epigomphus genus, such as the Humped knobtail (Epigomphus camelus), are endangered. Other examples include the Cherokee clubtail (Gomphus consanguis) and the Southern snaketail (Ophiogomphus australis).
Calopterygids
Calopterygids are demoiselles or jewelwings. The Glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul) and the Syrian demoiselle (Calopteryx syriaca) are endangered.
Coenagrionids
This is a large family of narrow-winged damselflies. The Blue-and-orange threadtail (Microneura caligata) and the Badplaas sprite (Pseudagrion inopinatum) are endangered.
Aeshnids
Aeshnids are hawker or darner dragonflies, known for their strong flight. The Cretan spectre (Boyeria cretensis) is an endangered species.
Libellulids
Libellulids are skimmer dragonflies, a very common family. The Fruhstorfer's junglewatcher (Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi) is an endangered species.
Other Endangered Dragonflies and Damselflies
Other endangered Odonata species include the Dune ringtail (Austrolestes minjerriba), the Amatola malachite (Chlorolestes apricans), and the Ancient greenling (Hemiphlebia mirabilis).
Other Endangered Insect Species
Beyond the major groups listed, several other types of insects are also endangered. These include:
- The Mccarthy's plant-louse (Acizzia mccarthyi).
- The Giant torrent midge (Edwardsina gigantea).
- The Seychelles winged stick insect (Graffaea seychellensis).
- The Canary dwarf mantis (Pseudoyersinia canariensis).
- The Large blue lake mayfly (Tasmanophlebia lacuscoerulei).
- The Fonseca's seed fly (Botanophila fonsecai).
See also
