The Role of Insects in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems–Overview

Insects, peerless biodiversity warriors on earth, play very important roles in our habitat. They are, so to speak, the labor force of nature, wherein they offer important functions like pollination, pest control, and decomposition. Although they are important, they have been neglected in biodiversity studies, particularly in the study of nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. Although minuscule in size, these species play a huge role in the environment as providers, eliminators, and facilitators on numerous levels. The existence or lack of them dictates the future of plants and vertebrates, and that is where the conservation programs lie. When policymakers are formulating environmental management programs, they should be aware of the importance of insects in ensuring that the environment is balanced. Inclusion of their involvement in conservation and setting goals should be essential in protecting species and biodiversity. Besides playing an important role in ecological services, insects are becoming the future in innovative industries like biofuel production, biomedicine, and sustainable agriculture. They provide beneficial economic and environmental value through their assistance in feeding systems, handling organic waste, and increasing soil fertility. Their multifunctional importance must be appreciated to have comprehensive policies on conservation and sustainable development. The present review highlights the importance of conservation of insect biodiversity and the problems of using insects in agriculture.