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Are Insect Populations Inherently More Variable? A Multi-Taxa Approach to Characterising Interannual Fluctuations in
Graham A Montgomery1,2, Eliza M Grames3, Jake M Jacobsen1
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Ecology Letters
|March 20, 2026
Summary
Insects show much higher population variability than other animals like birds or fish. This insect population variability is influenced by factors such as latitude, body size, and biome.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Understanding population dynamics is crucial, especially for insects facing reported declines.
- Factors driving population variability across species, time, and space remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if insects exhibit greater population variability compared to other animal taxa.
- To identify factors influencing insect population variability.
Main Methods:
- Compiled over 4500 insect time series from published and unpublished data.
- Calculated indices of interannual population variability for nearly 1500 insect species.
- Compared insect variability to that of birds, mammals, and fish.
Main Results:
- Insects demonstrate significantly higher population variability than birds, mammals, and fish.
- Insect population variability increases at higher latitudes and is greater for smaller-bodied species.
- Shorter, older time series and biome type also influence insect population variability.
Conclusions:
- Insects exhibit inherently higher population variability than other major animal groups.
- Geographic and biological factors significantly shape insect population dynamics.
- Findings aid in predicting insect population trends and extinction risks amid declines.
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