The Earth is occupied by millions and trillions of species adapted to different habitats such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Similarly, tiny creatures such as insects also cover a significant portion of the planet. Not only on land but also in the aquatic world, they occupy a wide range of habitats. But if we make a comparison between the total number of fishes and the insects, which would you think are more in number? Let’s see!
Are There More Insects Than Fish, Or Are There More Fish Than Insects On The Planet?
According to an estimate, the insects are more in number as compared to the fish. Approximately, there is a total of 20,000 to 30,000 species of fishes have been reported either in the form of fossils or living up till now, whereas the total number of insects are estimated to be 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 which are recorded by researchers. Additionally, only insects cover around 80% of the whole animals on Earth.
Importance Of Insects
A diverse variety of insects plays a significant role; more than 75% of the insects pollinate global crops. The insects are important for the cattle industry where they break down the manure and cause the churning of the rangeland soil.
Explore Few Types Of Insects?
Out of millions of insects, some of the common types are:
1: Bees
Bees have wings that somewhat resemble wasps. They belong to the order Hymenoptera and play a very important role in pollination and in producing honey.
2: Beetles
Beetles belong to the largest order of the insect Coleoptera. These tiny creatures cause damage to the forest and agriculture. It has been estimated that beetles cover about 20 to 25% of the total animals on Earth.
3: Butterflies
These are the most popular as well as the most beautiful type of insects, belonging to the order Rhopalocera. They appear in vibrant colors, especially the wings. The larvae of butterflies are the source of food for many animals and are thus considered one of the beneficial insects.
4: Dragonflies
It belongs to the order Odonata and is found commonly in residential areas, especially near water sources, ponds, or creeks. These are also considered beneficial insects because they consume a large number of pests insects like mosquitoes.
5: Spiders
Spiders belong to an order of Araneae, some of them are deadly poisonous while other do not pose any harm to living organisms.
What Are The Benefits Of Insects?
Insects benefit both the environment and humans in a variety of ways. They pollinate crops we eat, control pest insects, and work as a professional in cleaning up the garbage so the environment never becomes swamped with dung.
Final Verdict
The number of species inhabiting the Earth varies greatly in number. Insects being tiny creatures are a million times more in number compared to the fish under the water. According to an estimate, the total number of fishes inhabiting the planet is around 20,000 to 30,000 whereas insects approximately 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 in number, are found living in different habitats.
