List of near threatened insects facts for kids
In July 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 301 near threatened insect species. This means these insects are not yet in serious danger, but they could become threatened soon. About 5% of all insect species that have been checked by the IUCN are listed as near threatened. No smaller groups of insects have been checked yet.
This article shares a list of some of these near threatened insect species.
Insects That Need Our Help
Cicadas and Grasshoppers
Some insects like cicadas and grasshoppers are on the near threatened list. Cicadas are known for their loud buzzing sounds. Grasshoppers are great jumpers!
- Cassini periodical cicada (Magicicada cassini)
- Decim periodical cicada (Magicicada septendecim)
- Decula periodical cicada (Magicicada septendecula)
Many types of grasshoppers and crickets, especially those living in specific places like caves or islands, are also near threatened. For example, the Southern Sardinian cricket and the Gomera stick grasshopper are on this list.
Bees, Wasps, and Ants
The group of insects called Hymenoptera includes bees, wasps, and ants. Many of these important insects are also facing challenges. Bees help pollinate plants, which means they help plants make seeds and fruits. Ants play a big role in their ecosystems.
Some examples of near threatened Hymenoptera include:
- Bombus digressus (a type of bumblebee)
- Colletes halophilus (a type of bee)
- Red wood ant (Formica rufa)
- Antennal-waving wasp (Tachysphex pechumani)
Butterflies and Moths
Lepidoptera is the order that includes all butterflies and moths. There are 62 species of butterflies and moths that are considered near threatened. These insects are often very beautiful and play a role in pollinating flowers.
Swallowtail Butterflies
Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies with tail-like extensions on their hindwings. Some of them are near threatened.
- False Apollo (Archon apollinus)
- Short-horned baronia (Baronia brevicornis)
- Japanese luehdorfia (Luehdorfia japonica)
- Chimaera birdwing (Ornithoptera chimaera)
- Kaiserihind (Teinopalpus imperialis)
- Borneo birdwing (Troides andromache)
Blue Butterflies and Coppers
Lycaenids are often called "blues" or "coppers" because of their colors. Many small, delicate butterflies in this group are near threatened.
- Drakensberg copper (Chrysoritis oreas)
- Large copper (Lycaena dispar)
- Large blue (Phengaris arion)
- Atlas blue (Polyommatus atlanticus)
Brush-Footed Butterflies
Nymphalids are also known as brush-footed butterflies. This is a very large family of butterflies.
- Lesser false fritillary (Anetia briarea)
- False ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus)
- Jamaican monarch (Danaus cleophile)
- Woodland grayling (Hipparchia fagi)
- Malabar tree-nymph (Idea malabarica)
Beetles Facing Challenges
There are 56 beetle species that are near threatened. Beetles are a huge group of insects, and they live in many different habitats.
Dung Beetles and Click Beetles
Some types of beetles, like dung beetles and scarab beetles, are on the list. Dung beetles help keep ecosystems clean by breaking down waste. Click beetles are known for their ability to flip themselves over with a "click" sound.
- Cardinal click beetle (Ampedus cardinalis)
- Ceratophyus hoffmannseggi (a type of dung beetle)
- Ontherus grandis (a type of scarab beetle)
Other Interesting Beetles
Other beetles, like the Blue ground beetle and the Hermit beetle, are also near threatened. These beetles often live in specific environments, like old forests, which makes them vulnerable if their homes are disturbed.
- Daisy-plant fungus weevil (Homoeodera compositarum)
- Osmoderma barnabita (a type of hermit beetle)
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Odonata includes beautiful dragonflies and damselflies. There are 119 species of Odonata that are near threatened. They often live near water and are good indicators of a healthy environment.
Jewel and River Dragonflies
Many types of jewel dragonflies (from the Chlorocyphidae family) and river dragonflies (from the Gomphidae family) are near threatened.
- Angola jewel (Chlorocypha crocea)
- Tanganyika jewel (Platycypha pinheyi)
- Diminutive clubtail (Gomphus diminutus)
- Pronged clubtail (Gomphus graslinii)
- Appalachian snaketail (Ophiogomphus incurvatus)
Emerald and Goldenring Dragonflies
Some emerald dragonflies and goldenring dragonflies are also on the list. These often have bright, metallic colors.
- Sombre goldenring (Cordulegaster bidentata)
- Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana)
Damselflies and Other Odonata
Many damselflies are also near threatened. These delicate insects are smaller than dragonflies and often hold their wings together when resting.
- Southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale)
- Pygmy damselfly (Nehalennia speciosa)
- Orange-spotted emerald (Oxygastra curtisii)
- Coastal petaltail (Petalura litorea)
See also
