AI Insight
Approximately 1 million insect species have been formally described and documented by scientists to date. However, new analytical research indicates that the actual number of insect species existing on Earth could be in the tens of millions, suggesting that the vast majority of insect biodiversity remains undiscovered and unclassified.
Why it matters
Understanding the true extent of insect diversity is crucial for biodiversity conservation efforts, ecosystem management, and assessing the impact of environmental changes on global fauna. This knowledge gap also highlights the urgent need for expanded taxonomic research and species documentation before potentially undiscovered species face extinction.
Understand the Science
About 1 million insect species have been described, but a new analysis suggests tens of millions more may be out there
Source: Scientists have only discovered a tiny fraction of living insect species