In a world where insects are often reduced to the role of food for birds and bats, a new study shows that their contribution to ecosystems is far deeper and more diverse. Published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, the work led by Eliza Grames of Binghamton University reveals dozens of non-obvious connections between insects and vertebrates — from reptiles to mammals.
Chimpanzees, for example, apply insects to open wounds, using them as a natural antiseptic. More than two hundred species of birds resort to "ant baths" to rid themselves of parasites and keep their plumage in order. Other birds build nests near wasps, counting on protection from predators. Such examples show that insects act not merely as prey, but as active participants in mutual aid.
Sanitation and shelter are another important function. Dung beetles remove animal waste, reducing the risk of parasite spread. Moths in birds' nests eat droppings and feathers, maintaining cleanliness. Termite mounds and anthills serve as stable refuges: white-throated round-eared bats dig out cavities in them for roosting, while birds and reptiles lay eggs in a controlled microclimate. Such relationships already existed in the Cretaceous period — beetles fed on feathers in dinosaur nests.
Mutually beneficial connections are especially vivid in sloths. The moths living in their fur enrich it with nitrogen and stimulate the growth of algae — the main source of nutrients for the host. In return, sloths descend to the ground once a month to leave droppings, where the moths lay their eggs. Such cycles demonstrate how closely the lives of different species are intertwined.
The researchers emphasize that with changes in land use and the inevitable disruptions of insect communities, the consequences for vertebrates are difficult to predict because of a lack of data on non-food interactions. Nevertheless, conserving insects is becoming the key to protecting all biodiversity — from the carbon cycle to forest restoration.
Understanding these connections helps us see that by protecting insects, we sustain entire communities of vertebrates, on which the stability of ecosystems depends.
