Human lifestyle changes reshape Estonia’s insect life

Changes in human lifestyles and land use have significantly altered Estonia’s insect population in recent decades, ERR reported. As historic habitats disappear, fewer insects are flying in the wild, while some species have successfully adapted to artificial environments.

Mati Martin, an entomologist at the University of Tartu, said the change was visible without examining statistics. “When I drive a car, I really do not have to clean the windscreen as often as before. In my opinion, the decline in insect numbers is largely caused by changes in people’s lifestyles,” he said on the programme Huvitaja.

Traditional rural life once kept the landscape more diverse and provided habitats for a wide range of arthropods. Free-ranging livestock and natural haymaking helped maintain abundant populations.

“Animal excrement did not remain only on fields, but also on forest edges and roadside verges. Today, all of that has disappeared. Consequently, all the insects associated with that lifestyle have disappeared as well,” Martin said.

Some insects became effectively homeless when their familiar habitats vanished. For example, warble flies that lived in cattle skin were common in Estonia in the middle of the last century, but have now almost completely disappeared from the country. At the same time, improved hygiene and living conditions have improved human health and sharply reduced the numbers of lice and fleas.

People’s relationship with arthropods depends on their perspective. “From the point of view of people involved in the economy, many insects are not so friendly and admirable. And when we are at home and fleas suddenly start biting us, we are not very happy either,” Martin said.

Based on a study published by Martin about a decade ago, Estonia is home to around 15,000 insect species. A more recent study suggests there may be between 20,000 and 24,000 species, roughly as many as in neighbouring countries.

Martin said human activity also creates new habitats to replace those that have disappeared. Modern developments and ornamental gardening provide shelter for different species.

He cited an example from urban environments. “It is currently very fashionable to install stone paving around houses and in many squares. This stone paving is a very good habitat for mullamurelased, which are small black ants,” he said.

Carefully maintained lawns also support the ants. Frequent mowing gives dandelions a growth advantage, and the ants particularly prefer them when building their nests. Several dozen ant colonies can often live side by side in a small area, creating an entirely new ecosystem between stone paving and lawns.

Wasps become a late-summer nuisance

As the seasons change, new challenges emerge. In late summer, garden owners often worry about wasps flying around. Food shortages and disrupted relations within the colony drive them to seek sweet food near people.

Martin said wasps fly around in autumn because activity at the nest has been disrupted and new queens have apparently left.