Routledge Handbook of Insect Conservation

Winner of the 2025 Choice Outstanding Academic Title

This handbook presents a comprehensive overview of insect conservation and provides practical solutions to counteract insect declines, at a time where insects are facing serious threats across the world from habitat destruction to invasive species and climate change.

The Routledge Handbook of Insect Conservation consist of six sections, covering all aspects of insect conservation, containing contributions from academics, researchers and practitioners from across the globe. Section I addresses the fundamentals of insect conservation and outlines the reason why insects are important and discusses the greatest drivers of insect decline. The chapters in Section II examine the approaches that can be used for insect conservation globally, such as protected areas and agroecology, while highlighting the importance of insects in the composition and function of ecosystems. The chapters in Section III focus on insect populations in the major biomes around the world, from temperate and tropical forests to savannas and grasslands, with the chapters in Section IV focusing on natural and manmade ecosystems of the world, including mountain, soil, urban, island and agricultural habitats. They discuss the unique pressures and challenges for each biome and ecosystem and offer practical solutions for conserving their insect populations. Section V focuses on the assessment and monitoring of insects for conservation, discussing how we can implement practical monitoring protocols and what options are available. A wide variety of methods and tools are examined, including citizen science, bioindication, the role of taxonomy, drones and eDNA. The book concludes by examining policy and education strategies for insect conservation in Section VI. The chapters discuss key issues around social and policy strategies and conservation legislation for ensuring the long-term protection of insects.

This book is essential reading for students and scholars of biodiversity conservation and entomology as well as professionals and policymakers involved in conservation looking for real-world solutions to the threats facing insects across the globe.

James S. Pryke is an Associate Professor of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and is the co-Editor in Chief for the Journal of Insect Conservation.

Michael J. Samways is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, and Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Michael is the recipient of several major awards, including the John Herschel Medal of the Royal Society of South Africa.

Tim R. New is Emeritus Professor of Zoology at La Trobe University, Australia. He is a past Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Insect Conservation and former Regional Editor of Biological Conservation. Tim is the recipient of several major awards, including the Mackerras and Marks Medals of the Australian Entomological Society.

Pedro Cardoso is a Researcher at the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, Portugal. He works in conservation biology and biogeography of invertebrates, particularly from islands and caves. Also, he has a special interest in the development of new methods in statistics and computer science.

René Gaigher is a Researcher in the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She works primarily with terrestrial arthropods and focuses on ways to mitigate human impacts on arthropods in transformed landscapes.