[anon46121]

In this case it makes sense to be cautious in the scientific conclusion, due to limitations on the methodology. The meta-analysis searched for articles containing the words "insect" and "decline", which could lead to a bias against papers showing stable or growing populations. Knowing how many papers are published it must be incredibly difficult to do a comprehensive studies. I think you can draw conclusions that some insect populations around the world are declining and that some factors (such as land use, monocultures etc...) are involved. Perhaps the headline might be more accurate if it said "there is no proof that the insect apocalypse in here but there are reasons to worry"