A framework for the strategic conservation of tropical insects

Many insect species are declining globally, yet they are largely overlooked in biodiversity conservation measures. This gap is most severe in the tropics, which harbor over 80% of insect species. To address this conservation gap, we assembled a global team of experts and identified four major challenges: limited global visibility, data shortfall, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient conservation actions. We propose a strategic framework that integrates diverse data sources, strengthens regional expertise, and links evidence to policy—highlighting an application in Bangladesh, a densely populated tropical country facing multiple conservation barriers. Centered on insects, our framework provides a pathway to measurable conservation outcomes, builds local capacity for delivery, and helps tropical countries meet biodiversity commitments.