(Scott Olson | Getty Images)Even in areas relatively undisturbed by human activity, insect populations are on the decline, with climate change as a likely culprit. The insect populations were found to have declined by an average 6.6% annually — a 72.4% drop over the 20-year period. It cited habitat loss to agriculture activities, the use of pesticides, as well as climate change as factors in the insects’ decline. He agreed with Sockman’s conclusion that climate change was likely a factor in the case of the disappearing bugs. “Usually we’re focused mainly on habitat, destruction, and habitat loss … But in this case we’re talking about somewhere that’s isolated from humans,” Larson said.