In my view, entomologists have quite a challenging line of interest, simply because of the weight of numbers involved. There are about a million species worldwide; maybe 100,000 in Europe. Populations can be massive and occur in every conceivable habitat on the planet. I think the subject is daunting, even overwhelming. A lot of these creatures are small and go unnoticed but they are vital to our eco-systems. We depend on them.

But are we looking after them? I have often heard drivers report that their windscreens no longer get covered in squashed insects. Is this a sign that insects are declining? I can't believe it's due to improving windscreen technology.

The table offers a selection of insect portraits.