Dr. DAVID WAGNER on the Ever Indispensable Insect /114

Entomologists estimate that there are millions of insect species that remain “unknown” to the scientific world. While official categorization or recognition doesn’t matter much in the way of determining existence or ratifying inherent value, the fact that so little is known about insects highlights the seriousness of potential insect decline. In this week’s episode, Dr. David Wagner reminds us of the fascinating world of insects, the tremendous roles they play, and the possible peril should the insect apocalypse come to fruition. Dr. David Wagner is an entomologist and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. In this episode, Ayana and Dr. Wagner discuss insects as biological controls, insect decline in relation to political and economic destabilization, how cultural understandings of insects influence the field of entomology, and the main drivers behind insect decline. It is certainly true that while some people can’t live with insects, we know we can’t live without them.
 ♫ Music by Santiparro