Introduction: extending the conservation message

Many insects still have ‘novelty value’ in conservation, with demonstration of their needs and intricate ecology having potential to stimulate interest (and, even, wonderment) as people are made aware of these. Because of this, every campaign for conservation of an insect species may contribute to wider knowledge and understanding, and help to raise awareness of the relevance of insects in the natural world. Each such species may become an ambassador or flagship for wider conservation need, and acceptance of such roles may become an important part of gaining support for management. Education and fostering wider interests are thus important components of wider conservation management for insects, and opportunities to pursue these should be considered from the initial planning stages. The practical help ensuing, such as garnering enthusiastic volunteers and related support, may prove critical to the success of a conservation plan. Such practical aid is distributed very unevenly, and is available much more readily in temperate regions than over much of the tropics, reflecting the geography of species-level conservation interest for insects noted in Chapter 1.

Temperate region insects

A number of insect species conservation efforts have involved insects that have indeed become notorious causes célèbres, as flagships and potent ambassadors for increasing appreciation of conservation need in various parts of the world. These are almost all in temperate region countries, where the knowledge, capability and goodwill to conserve insects can be well established, as displayed through many of the examples cited earlier. Some of these have been central considerations in conflict over use of particular sites designated for developments.