Grand challenges in entomology : Priorities for action in the coming decades

Luke, S.H. and Roy, H.E. and Thomas, C.D. and Tilley, L.A.N. and Ward, S. and Watt, A. and Carnaghi, M. and Jaworski, C.C. and Tercel, M.P.T.G. and Woodrow, C. and Aown, S. and Banfield-Zanin, J.A. and Barnsley, S.L. and Berger, I. and Brown, M.J.F. and Bull, J.C. and Campbell, H. and Carter, R.A.B. and Charalambous, M. and Cole, L.J. and Ebejer, M.J. and Farrow, R.A. and Fartyal, R.S. and Grace, M. and Highet, F. and Hill, J.K. and Hood, A.S.C. and Kent, E.S. and Krell, F.-T. and Leather, S.R. and Leybourne, D.J. and Littlewood, N.A. and Lyons, A. and Matthews, G. and Mc Namara, L. and Menéndez, R. and Merrett, P. and Mohammed, S. and Murchie, A.K. and Noble, M. and Paiva, M.-R. and Pannell, M.J. and Phon, C.-K. and Port, G. and Powell, C. and Rosell, S. and Sconce, F. and Shortall, C.R. and Slade, E.M. and Sutherland, J.P. and Weir, J.C. and Williams, C.D. and Zielonka, N.B. and Dicks, L.V. (2023) Grand challenges in entomology : Priorities for action in the coming decades. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 16 (2). pp. 173-189. ISSN 1752-458X

Abstract

Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector‐borne diseases and inspiring technological advances. We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four‐stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter ‘members’) of the UK‐based Royal Entomological Society (RES). A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants. The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) ‘Fundamental Research’ (themes: Taxonomy, ‘Blue Skies’ [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) ‘Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation’ (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) ‘Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices’ (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) ‘Collaboration, Engagement and Training’ (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement). Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages. Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well‐being, and environmental change.