The impact of air pollution on insect health and reproduction is greater than previously understood and could be contributing to global declines in insect populations, including in remote wilderness areas, new research shows.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne, Beijing Forestry University, and the University of California Davis report that an insect’s ability to find food and a mate is reduced when their antennae are contaminated by particulate matter from industry, transport, bushfires, and other sources of air pollution.
University of Melbourne Professor Mark Elgar, who co-authored the paper published today in Nature Communications, said the study was alerting humans to a potentially significant risk to insect populations.
Read More: University of Melbourne
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