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In the recently completed award winning feature documentary, by Georgina Willis, Insect_O_Cide, we get a glimpse into the important micro world that literally lives beneath our feet. Its a world full of small creatures that are creeping, crawling and flying around, and we often only think of as ‘bugs’ and are often viewed as a threat to us, if they do enter our consciousness. Stephen Fry recently urged people to watch this important film as ‘it reveals all.” In this brilliant film our view of insects is transformed. It becomes apparent that insect numbers are in rapid decline with dire consequences for humans if this decline is not reversed. In Germany studies have shown that there has been a seventy five per cent decline in the insect biomass over the past 25 years. This dramatic decline in insect numbers in a very short period of time is the basis of the film and is widely known as the ‘insect apocalypse.’
The voice of Insect_O_Cide is the well respected entomologist and Times Bestseller, Professor Dave Goulson who wrote Silent Earth. As he states a world without insects is a world we would no longer be able to inhabit, as they are critical for so many things that occur in nature and that support us whilst we are blissfully unaware of their importance. As Goulson carefully and passionately points out insects were here long before us, and a dragonfly, has been on Earth for 300 million years and humans a few hundred thousand years.
In the film, Goulson sets out all the different forces that are working to reduce insect numbers. The film questions the barrage of chemicals applied in agricultural settings and also in domestic use. It applies logic to all the issues impacting on insect populations, as the chemicals are like warfare against these small creatures, and also warfare ultimately against us. Our fate is their fate: they disappear then humans would follow not long after they have gone. Clearly Goulson has a fascination and love, and appreciation for insects that he shares with us, and its hard not to feel the same way. The first step is to remove our fear of insects and develop a respect for these small creatures. Its a question of perspective, and once that changes, we can then realise how important they are to our existence. Insect_O_Cide has the most incredible macro photography that makes them take up the whole screen, and transforms insects into giants to be reckoned with. The soundtrack also gives them a full orchestral score so we can a world where the insect dominates.
Another really big reason for the insect decline is the ever decreasing size of their habitat. Agricultural practices not only use pesticides with their devastating impact, but they use fertilisers which create a serious imbalance in plant species which in turn creates no space for diverse insect populations. In all the gloom, Goulson asks us to create more places and habitats for insects to thrive. The film is asking us to rethink our relationship with insects before its too late. We are at a pivotal moment where if we do nothing an insect apocalypse is rapidly coming in the near future. There are so many problems causing this decline but we must act, in our own self interest, in averting this disaster. This award winning film goes a long way to helping to shift our perspective which is the first step to try to stop the decline in the insect biomass internationally.
