The Silence of Insects

Insects are some of the most incredible animals on Earth.

The total fresh weight of all insects is estimated to be around 1 billion metric tonnes; for every human there are 200 million insects. They are vital to life on Earth, acting as the connective tissue between plants and mammals. 65% of all flowering plants and a 30% of all agricultural crops rely on insects for pollination to reproduce.

And yet, insects are also disappearing at historic rates, with as many as 80% of some species already having been wiped out from the world’s ecosystems. Where once our summer nights used to feature clouds of insects, now there is simply… silence. Where there should be awe, there is fear, disgust and indifference, and a lack of understanding of their complexity and wonder. It is not an exaggeration to say that the implications of this apocalyptic scenario are catastrophic for the animal kingdom and human food systems.

Silence is a collaboration between myself and photographer Christopher Parkes. Our intent is to bring these animals to life through huge macro images, highlighting the extraordinary forms they take and creating a unique opportunity to see what make them so special and worth saving.