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76 percent of well-known insects fall outside protected areas

The borders of many conservation sites barely overlap with species’ ranges

An orange and gray Australian painted lady sitting atop a bright magenta flower.

Protected areas can provide safe havens for insect species, including the Australian painted lady (Vanessa kershawi, shown). But many existing ones fall short, a new study finds.

S. Chowdhury

By Freda Kreier

- More than 2 years ago

The existing boundaries of national parks and other habitat preserves aren’t enough to protect more than three-quarters of the world’s well-studied insects.