Bug Note Episode 28: Endangered and Extinct Bugs
The bug world is filled with an astounding diversity of fascinating insects, but the abundance of insects doesn’t mean that some aren’t in danger of extinction. On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter chats about extinct and endangered species with the entomologist leading the Natural History Museum of Utah, Dr. Jason Cryan. Listen to the podcast here or scroll down to watch the video version.
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Populations of animals, plants, and insects naturally fluctuate. Populations sometimes grow, only to naturally shrink at other times. But when populations decrease past what is expected, it encourages us to investigate what might be causing these declines.
In many cases, insect species are endangered because of environmental change. Take the sphinx moths for example. "In Hawaii, they are threatened and endangered because their host plant has been declining,” said Cryan. “So even though the habitat is there, the plant that they require to survive — that they eat — is no longer there or is declining.”
Some of the challenges that bugs face are due to habitat loss, climate change, or harmful chemicals in the environment. In many cases, species struggle because of human action — which is a great reminder for all of us to be responsible stewards of the environment.
“Human activity always has to be examined for its effect on the environment,” Cryan said. “And insects are just part of our environment. If we are undertaking practices that are completely decimating species in our environment, or if we're damaging the environment, we really need to be more circumspect about doing those things.”
Bug Note on YouTube
Check out the extended conversation on YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe to receive notice of upcoming episodes.
About Bug Note
Bug Note is hosted by Daniel Potter, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by Blank Space. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.
Authors
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By Olivia Barney
Olivia serves as NHMU’s Marketing Copywriter/Coordinator, where she collaborates across departments to craft engaging stories that help bring groundbreaking research projects to life. She might be the Oxford comma’s number one fan.
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By Dan Potter
Daniel Potter is a science writer and audio producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He's reported for Nashville Public Radio and KQED in San Francisco, and has appeared on Science Friday and PBS NewsHour. He's also written for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some of his writing appears in the 2023 book Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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By Jason Cryan, Ph.D.
Areas of Expertise • Museum administration and leadership • Evolutionary biology • Entomology • Plant-feeding insects of the Order Hemiptera • Planthoppers, spittlebugs, treehoppers Background Jason Cryan, Ph.D., serves as the fourth executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah. With its rich, 50-year history as the most important natural history museum in America’s...
