Vertebrates and Insects Working Group


The Vertebrates and Insects Working Group is focused on the connections between vertebrate research and conservation and the status of insect biodiversity, including the ways in which vertebrate populations depend on insects, the ways in which conservation decisions about vertebrates might affect insects, and the ways in which research that is focused on vertebrates might produce data that helps inform our understanding of insect biodiversity change.


Rationale

The biology of many vertebrates is inextricably linked to that of insects. Consequently, our understanding of insect biodiversity change has consequences for vertebrate biology and conservation. Equally, scientists studying vertebrates often collect data that can inform our understanding of insect biodiversity change. This working group aims to bridge the gap between these groups of scientists to increase what each can learn from the other.


Activities

Current projects include (1) reviewing information on the diversity of ways in which vertebrates depend on insects; (2) searching the vertebrate research literature for data sets that would help us better understand how insect biodiversity is changing (with separate initiatives for birds, herps, and mammals); and (3) linking change in the status of insects to vertebrate population change.


Get Involved

To join the group, or ask questions, contact either co-chair.