A research article co-authored by Katie Costanzo, PhD and Canisius student Peyton Callen, is featured on the cover of this month’s issue of American Entomologist – one of the field’s leading peer-reviewed publications. The article, which grew out of a hands-on entomology project is helping bring insect conservation to life for students while evaluating the ecological rationale of the “Leave the Leaves” movement.
In a laboratory study, students sifted through bags of autumn leaves that were collected in suburban yards in Western New York. The study was concluded by Dr. Costanzo and an Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation student, Peyton Callen. Surprisingly, an immense diversity of arthropods was discovered, including more than 25 insect species across nine orders, along with spiders, centipedes, sowbugs, and ticks. Insects from all developmental stages were found, and the diversity represented many different feeding guilds playing several roles in ecosystem function. These findings suggest that the raking and removal of autumn leaves do indeed remove insects that utilize leaf litter for food, shelter, and overwintering habitat. This is the first study to test the notion of the “Leave the Leaves” practice on insects, with hopes it provides motivation for suburban residents to keep some or all senescent leaves in their yards through the winter. This landscape practice, among others such as avoiding the use of pesticides and planting natives can have positive impacts on insect populations that are at risk.
The project gave students practical experience in insect identification while deepening their understanding of how everyday landscaping choices can affect local ecosystems. Sofia Russo shared, “I loved the excitement and curiosity that erupted when someone discovered something new,” and as student Alexa Gioia explained, “This project (and this class) was one of the highlights of my college career. It helped me to better remember certain species and identify insects in the field, and it helped me become more aware of suburban residents’ role in the conservation of insects.”
Incorporating this “Leave the Leaves” exercise into an entomology course allows students to engage directly with the material and deepens their understanding of the current threats to insects. Students who have a better understanding of insect conservation issues are inspired and empowered to make positive changes themselves and educate others in their community. “What I enjoyed the most about the ‘Leave the Leaves’ project was being able to discover first-hand what could be found within just several bags of leaves over the course of a few weeks,” explained senior Anders Florek. “The project assisted in helping me describe to other individuals what exists in our yards and how leaving the leaves could be beneficial to the ecosystem residing there,” and as Alexa Gioia explains, “I will most certainly use my experience from this project to inform others of how landscape practices affect insect populations.”
The current decline of insects is deeply alarming, and we can no longer rely solely on public agencies and conservation organizations to address this loss. The first step toward meaningful citizen participation in insect conservation is education and heightened awareness. It is essential that conventional entomology courses include conservation and environmental stewardship as part of the curriculum to play an active role in the solution. This hands-on experience fostered a more personal connection between the students and insect conservation and inspired them to change their behaviors and educate their family and friends to support insect conservation.
