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Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Vanishing May Beetles: Scientists Issue Dire Warning
Costa Rican scientists are sounding the alarm as a once-abundant insect species edges toward collapse. Known locally as abejones de mayo, or May beetles, these beetles have long been a sign that the rainy season is near. But this year, they're conspicuously absent. According to The Cool Down, the May beetle population has reportedly plummeted by as much as 95% over the past 40 years, University of Costa Rica biologist Andres Arias told The Tico Times. 'For many Costa Ricans, spotting abejones buzzing around porch lights marked the start of the rains,' he said. 'Now, they're a fleeting memory.' Researchers point to a combination of rising global temperatures, rampant pesticide use, and rapid urbanization as the culprits behind this sharp decline. Costa Rica's heavy pesticide use, reportedly the highest per capita in Latin America, has been especially damaging. As warming alters rainfall patterns and disrupts seasonal cues the beetles depend on, their population struggles to recover. Arias and his colleagues warn that if action isn't taken soon, May beetles could vanish entirely. 'Losing them means losing a piece of who we are—and a warning we can't ignore,' he emphasized. Their disappearance mirrors a troubling global trend: insect populations worldwide have been dropping at alarming rates. A 2023 study from the University of California, Riverside, found that insect numbers globally have fallen by approximately 45% over the last four decades. The World Wildlife Fund has warned that as many as 40% of insect species could face extinction by century's end. Insects make up roughly 80% of Earth's animal life and play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems. They pollinate plants, feed on pests, and provide nourishment for countless other species. The loss of a single species can ripple through entire ecosystems. Costa Rican lawmakers are now considering a bill to ban pesticides deemed highly toxic by the World Health Organization, a move conservationists hope will help preserve the May beetles and other threatened insect species. The stakes couldn't be higher. As Arias put it, 'Losing them means losing a piece of who we are.' Vanishing May Beetles: Scientists Issue Dire Warning first appeared on Men's Journal on May 26, 2025
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue urgent warning after witnessing collapse of iconic insect species: 'Losing them means losing a piece of who we are'
A rapid decline has Costa Rican conservationists concerned about the future of an iconic beetle species. For generations, the arrival of abejones de mayo, otherwise known as May beetles, has meant the May rainy season is set to begin in Costa Rica. But now, as The Tico Times reported, fewer are showing up each year. Researchers estimate that the May beetle population has decreased by as much as 95% over the last 40 years. "For many Costa Ricans, spotting abejones buzzing around porch lights marked the start of the rains," University of Costa Rica biologist Andres Arias told the Times. "Now, they're a fleeting memory." Scientists say three factors are largely responsible for this decline: rising global temperatures, widespread urbanization, and rampant pesticide use. As the planet warms due to human-caused pollution, the rainfall and other seasonal cues these beetles rely on have changed, uprooting their lives. And that has been exacerbated by the heavy use of chemical-laden pesticides. Costa Rica uses more pesticides on a per capita basis than any other Latin American country. Experts warn that if things don't change soon, the May beetles might not survive. "Losing them means losing a piece of who we are — and a warning we can't ignore," Arias told The Tico Times. This is part of a troubling trend occurring worldwide as insect populations plummet across the globe. Insects make up about 80% of Earth's animal life and are crucial to our planet's health. They pollinate plants, giving life to flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They feed on plants and animals, including other insects, helping keep population levels in check. And they are the primary food source of many other animals. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. But a 2023 analysis by the University of California, Riverside, found that, during the same 40-year time span as the May beetle's decline, global insect populations have fallen by about 45%. And the World Wildlife Fund warns that up to 40% of insect species could become extinct by the end of this century. One bill currently being discussed by Costa Rican lawmakers would go a long way toward saving the May beetle, as it would ban pesticides that meet the World Health Organization's criteria for high toxicity. And conservationists hope that these dwindling population numbers will prompt other action to preserve beetles and their habitats. There are examples of such action working. For example, researchers in Nebraska have noticed an increase in American burying beetle numbers, the first population increase in more than 35 years. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers move to ban cancer-causing chemicals from farmlands — here's what's happening
Costa Rican lawmakers have moved to ban a number of highly hazardous pesticides in an effort to reduce the number of chemicals used on farmland. According to The Tico Times, a bill being discussed by representatives on the Special Permanent Commission on Environment would ban pesticides that meet the World Health Organization's international criteria for high toxicity and those with evidence of causing cancer or genetic mutation or affecting reproduction, according to the Globally Harmonized System. The bill would require the ministries of Environment and Energy, Health, and Agriculture and Livestock to update the national list of banned pesticides every two years based on new information from the WHO and increase training so farmers in Costa Rica know their options when it comes to pesticides. The bill would represent a massive change to the way Costa Rica approaches farming. Estimates have shown that Costa Rica ranks among the biggest users of pesticides per agricultural area, ranging between 10 and 35 kilograms of pesticides used per hectare of farmland. Making matters worse, eight of the 10 most frequently used pesticides in the country are classified as highly hazardous by the Regional Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances at the National University of Costa Rica. Pesticides have become an increasingly controversial subject in agriculture. Many see them as essential to reducing crop loss, but chemicals in pesticides can cause serious issues. Recent studies indicate that certain pesticides can wreak havoc on the endocrine system. Other studies have shown that chemicals in pesticides linger on fruits and vegetables after they've been harvested and washed — and washed again at home. In the United Kingdom, studies have shown that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been found all over fruits and vegetables. The bill would represent a profound shift toward healthier, more environmentally friendly agricultural practices in Costa Rica, which would benefit not just the Central American country but also its trade partners, including the United States. Do you think gas stoves should be banned nationwide? No way Let each state decide I'm not sure Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
