How many insects are there, and why do we need them?

What BBN said about it

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThere are an estimated ten quintillion insects alive on Earth at any given time, and zoologist Dr. Alex Dittrich explains why we need them, Phys.org reports.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich is why they are our Pet of the Day. Every single one. I've been practicing the speech all morning.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTen quintillion nominees. The envelope is going to need a bigger envelope.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLadies and gentlemen, the Most Valuable Everything of the Year, the Tiny Legion, the Many-Legged Majority.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTheir stat line. Species described, a little over one million. Species estimated, five and a half million to over seven million.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMammals, six thousand five hundred.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the mammals are basically the opening act.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAbout one point two billion insects for every person. So technically every one of us is the host city.

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   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd here is the part that gets me.

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    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe article says forty percent or more of insect species are estimated to be threatened with extinction. They keep our ecosystems and food chains going, and they never ask for a thing.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThen the envelope goes to the insects, and the runner-up, the mammals, will accept at six thousand five hundred seats, which is plenty.