How Many Insects Are There On Earth? And Why So Many?

If insects were not so small they would certainly decimate humankind, and the world would likely be better off for it. But thankfully we are at the top of the food chain. There is currently about seven billion humans walking the planet, but there exists a ridiculous 10 quintillion insects on earth. I am not even sure what comes after a billion, so quintillion is a whole lot of zeros.

In other words insects outnumber humans by a billion to one. So why are insects so resilient and successful on this planet? First of all insects can produce hundreds of offspring during their lifespans, and insects mature quickly. Insects are also the most genetically diverse class of animal living on the planet. Insects vary enough in their adaptability that they can be found in just about any environment on earth, including the arctic. For example, some bumblebees can survive 18,000 feet above sea level. When you think about it, as creepy as many insects are, they have more of a right to exist than we humans do.

What insect do you think has the largest population on the planet?