Letter: We're losing our insects, and that's cause for alarm

Posted 7/8/20

To the editor:

Last night we visited a neighbor's field where, about five years ago, we saw a magical display of thousands of fireflies. Since then their numbers have been decreasing: last night …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Letter: We're losing our insects, and that's cause for alarm

Posted

To the editor:

Last night we visited a neighbor's field where, about five years ago, we saw a magical display of thousands of fireflies. Since then their numbers have been decreasing: last night only a paltry few.

The butterfly weed is blooming and no butterflies. Not many last year either. Several years have passed without resident ladybugs or a praying mantis. No Japanese beetles after usually spending all summer picking them off my shrub roses. And now very few vicious deer flies or mosquitoes — but relief comes at a deadly cost.

We are witnessing in our garden the documented worldwide extinction of insects. The familiar causes are herbicides, pesticides and loss of habitat.

What will make us inconvenience ourselves for future generations? Our own existence is at stake when, without pollinators, there is no agriculture and no food. Our children and grandchildren and all the vibrant life on this planet are in peril.

Cathy Rosenberg

Little Compton

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Mike Rego

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.