Scientific literature suggests that the rapid decline of global insect populations may be a blaring indicator of the potentially catastrophic consequences of rising radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels.

This unprecedented increase, attributed to the rapid proliferation of wireless communications, may pose serious threats to fundamental biophysical processes essential to life and planetary health.

Insect populations over the past 40 years have experienced a dramatic 45% decline, threatening the extinction of 40% of the global insect population. This decline is generally attributed to factors associated with intensive agricultural practices. However, anthropogenic RF radiation has emerged as a plausible contributor to this devastating decline.

RF radiation is a subset of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum used by wireless communications technology and the infrastructure that enables its use, such as smartphones, cell towers, WiFi and satellites.

These wireless facilities are a perpetual source of electromagnetic pollution that continuously pulses artificial electromagnetic energy into the environment, completely altering the Earth’s natural electromagnetic state.

This rapid proliferation has led to an unprecedented rise in RF radiation levels – an astronomical one quintillion (1018) times relative to natural levels.

All lifeforms, especially insects, rely on fine-tuned electromagnetic environments to undergo and sustain the functions and processes essential to their survival. Drastic changes to the environment in which they have evolved and adapted over hundreds of millions of years may directly affect the health and sustenance of their populations.

As insects play a vital role in sustaining life and planetary health, the ever-increasing levels of environmental RF exposure may pose complex and systemic implications for Earth, including serious threats to biodiversity, food systems and our very existence.

Radiofrequency signals are biologically disruptive

Electromagnetic radiation consists of oscillating electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that propagate electromagnetic energy through space. All lifeforms are to some extent sensitive to this propagation of this energy.

However, due to their unique magnetoreception physiologies, some species, including insects, possess greater reactivity.

The Earth is itself a source of electromagnetic energy. Due to the electric currents generated in its molten iron core, the Earth produces a magnetic field that extends tens of thousands of kilometers into space.

Many insect species use magnetoreception — the ability to sense electromagnetic fields — for migration, mating, food-finding, homing, nesting and numerous other processes.

While the mechanism is not well understood, this ability is likely enabled by magnetite, a naturally occurring mineral found in many species that reacts a million times more strongly to external magnetic fields than to any other known magnetic material.

Extremely low levels of RF radiation are naturally present on Earth. However, the exponential rise in wireless communications has completely altered the Earth’s natural electromagnetic environment.

This may directly interfere with the magnetoreception abilities of insects and thus their ability to perform the processes and functions necessary for their survival.

Additionally, the RF signals that enable wireless communications are a technologically manipulated form of electromagnetic radiation that are categorically distinct from naturally occurring forms. These technological manipulations involve unique propagation characteristics including modulation, pulsation, phased arrays, unusual waveforms and heightened power intensities at the Earth’s surface, which create complex and versatile biologically active signals shown to produce a myriad of adverse environmental effects.

Electromagnetic radiation, a plausible driver of rapid insect decline

Spanish wildlife biologist Alfonso Balmori in May 2021, published a study in Science of The Total Environment showing that electromagnetic radiation may be driving the decline in insect populations.

In his study, Balmori sheds light on the decline of insect populations and establishes causative drivers of this decline, provides scientific evidence supporting the claim that RF radiation is a plausible contributor and details mechanisms by which insect populations may be adversely affected.

“The extent that anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation represents a significant threat to insect pollinators is unresolved and plausible,” Balmori wrote. “For these reasons, and taking into account the benefits they provide to nature and humankind, the precautionary principle should be applied before any new deployment (such 5G) is considered.”

In a literature review published in 2020 by Alain Thill, a biologist and environmental scientist, determined that 72 of the 83 peer-reviewed studies analyzed found biological effects strongly indicating that EMFs may be a significant factor in the vitality of insect populations.

Thill concluded:

“Negative effects that were described in studies include: disturbance of the sense of orientation, reduced reproductive capacity and fertility, lethargy, changes in flight dynamics, in the success of foraging, in reaction speeds, escape behaviour, disturbance of circadian rhythms, blocking of the respiratory chain and damage to mitochondria, misactivation of the immune system, increased number of DNA strand breaks.”

Landmark study shows biological effects of EMFs at ‘vanishingly low intensities’ 

A comprehensive three-part study published in 2021 on non-ionizing EMFs on plant and animal life showed biological effects have been observed at “vanishingly low intensities comparable to today’s ambient exposures.”

This includes impacts on orientation and migration, food finding, reproduction, mating, nest and den building, territorial maintenance and defense, and longevity and survivorship.

According to part 1 of this study, fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks, whose national buildout involves 800,000 new cell sites by 2025, use complex phased millimeter waves that are “capable of reaching resonant match with some insect species” and “disrupting crucial biological functions of numerous other organisms.”

“In theory, this one technology has the ability to disrupt important ecosystems with broad-based effects to food webs,” the researchers wrote.

“The top end of these ranges reach infrared frequencies, some of which are actually visible to other species — especially birds — and can impede their ability to sense natural magnetic fields necessary for migration and orientation,” they added.

According to part 2 of this study, wildlife populations have been reduced by a dramatic 60% since 1970 — a period often referred to as the “sixth mass extinction,” highlighting that insect populations have experienced extinctions 8 times faster than mammals, birds and reptiles.

The eastern monarch population has declined by 90% in the last two decades alone. Research shows RF radiation can adversely impact the monarch’s biological processes by altering the time needed to complete morphogenesis and accelerating gastrulation and larval growth.

“Worldwide, many bee and other pollinator populations have also declined over the last two decades,” the researchers wrote. “Managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies decreased by 25% over 20 years in Europe and 59% over 58 years in North America, with many wild bumble bee populations in Europe and North America having gone locally extinct.”

Bees are highly sensitive to both natural and artificial EMFs. For example, they can detect the sun’s based on the polarization of light and rely on this and the Earth’s magnetic fields for navigation and basic survival functions.

The study asserts that “the devastating loss of pollinating insects like honey bees and other wild pollinators may also be related to environmental EMF,” claiming the likelihood of “rising EMF background levels” contributes to population decline.

Part 3 of this study explores current exposure standards, applicable laws and future directions. It highlights the dangerous inadequacy of federal exposure standards and urges regulatory bodies to categorize EMFs as a form of environmental pollution.

“It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as ‘habitat’ so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants,” the researchers concluded. “Wildlife loss is often unseen and undocumented until tipping points are reached.”

The researchers also urged that long-term chronic low-level EMF standards, which do not currently exist, be “set accordingly” and environmental laws be “strengthened and enforced.”