Why Journalists Should Write About Insects

In a piece for The Revelator, the author argues that insects offer a rich, under-explored subject for journalism — one that goes beyond the typical fear or disgust narratives. Writing about insects, the article contends, can reshape how society sees our six-legged neighbors, revealing their ecological, cultural, and moral significance.

The article highlights how insects underpin ecosystems — from pollinating crops to recycling nutrients — and how their perilous decline signals a broader environmental crisis. It urges journalists to shift the conversation: not just “What’s buggy and scary?” but “What stories are hidden in insect lives and ecosystems?” With this lens, insects become characters in tales of resilience, adaptation, and human impact.

A second core thread addresses ethical and philosophical dimensions: are insects capable of suffering, feeling, or being wronged? Drawing on emerging science about insect sentience, the article encourages media coverage of practices like insect farming, habitat destruction, and pesticide use — and the moral questions they raise.

Ultimately, the article calls for a richer insect narrative in journalism — one that combines science, ethics, and human interest. By doing so, writers can invite audiences to engage with pressing themes: biodiversity loss, food systems, the human-nature relationship, and how we define life and value.

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Why Journalists Should Write About Insects