Year: 2026
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Insects are often perceived through the narrow lens of pests, yet this perspective overlooks the profound economic contributions of their beneficial counterparts. This chapter provides a comprehensive economic analysis of the ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects. These services are foundational to global food security, sustainable agriculture, and ecological health. We synthesize current research to quantify the economic value of three primary services: (1) Pollination, the indispensable service for crop production; (2) Biological Control, the natural regulation of pests by predatory and parasitic insects; and (3) Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling, the critical waste-recycling services provided by detritivores. Furthermore, we explore the established and emerging markets for direct insect products, including apiculture (honey, wax), sericulture (silk), and the burgeoning industry of insects as food and animal feed (entomophagy). By attaching monetary values amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars annually to these often-invisible services, we highlight the severe economic risks posed by insect population declines. This chapter argues for the urgent integration of insect conservation into economic policies and agricultural practices, reframing beneficial insects as indispensable natural capital.
Source: Trends in Agricultural Sciences
Institutions: Gandhigram Rural Institute, Annamalai University
Topic: Plant and animal studies
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7160705691
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