Insects as Superheroes in Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

The global agrifood system faces critical challenges, including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. Insects, often overlooked, emerge as nature’s superheroes by contributing to provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services. This talk reimagines the roles of insects, emphasizing their ecological and cultural significance in addressing agrifood system challenges. Through a multidisciplinary lens, we explore diverse management strategies—conservation, pest control, wild insect gathering, and insect husbandry—and assess their potential for promoting sustainability. A unique feature of this presentation is the integration of scientific research with art, showcasing the interaction with scientific processes and the work being developed to highlight the complex beauty and ecological importance of insects through a visual journey into their hidden world with compelling field and laboratory images. By connecting insect ecology with stakeholder perspectives and policy frameworks, we aim to inspire strategies that enhance their beneficial roles in food security and sustainability. Join us to discover how insects are transforming agrifood systems and why they are the unsung superheroes of our planet.

Speakers

Karol B. Barragán-Fonseca

LE STUDIUM Interdisciplinary Forum - Visiting Researcher 

FROM: National University of Colombia - CO
IN RESIDENCE AT: Insect Biology Research Institute (IRBI), University of Tours / CNRS - FR

Umberto Diecinove

LE STUDIUM Interdisciplinary Forum - Visiting Artist
IN RESIDENCE AT: Insect Biology Research Institute (IRBI), University of Tours / CNRS - FR