Small wonders

Discover why these tiny creatures are essential to your survival

Planet Earth belongs to insects. More than three quarters of the animals on Earth are insects - they outnumber humans 200 million to one.

Since there are so many insects, together they have a far greater impact on the world's habitats than bigger animals like whales or wildebeest. So what, exactly do they do for us? One critically important job is pollination - fertilising flowering plants so they produce fruit and nuts for us to eat.

Unfortunately for us, insects are vanishing - and fast. Find out how you can help

Five ways to help insects

1. Buy organic - Pesticides are bad news for insects, so try to choose organic fruit and vegetables from farms that have not sprayed their crops with the insect-killing chemicals.

2. Count butterflies - The Big Butterfly Count is a fun summer survey, and anyone can take part. This year the survey runs 19 July - 11 August. Join in here.

3. Say no to mow - Short grass leaves most insects with little food and few hiding places, so if you have a garden, let part of your lawn grow long so that daisies and dandelions flourish.

4. Leave ivy alone - This leafy plant loves to ramble but often people pull it down as they think it causes damage. That's a shame, because Ivy offers valuable shelter for many insects (and birds).

5. Make a log pile - Dead wood is fantastic for insects, especially beetle larvae. Simply make a pile of branches, logs and sticks. Or download the article below to learn how to make a bug hotel.

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