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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