In 2023, we will have a new opportunity to show and share studies and advances in the field of Entomology. This time, entomologists of the Spanish and Portuguese Entomological Societies will meet in the city of Alicante (Spain) once again, after 16 years, for the 20th Iberian Congress of Entomology, the first face-to-face after the pandemic. The congress will be organised by the Research Institute CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad) of the University of Alicante.

The main message of this international congress is the urgent need to stop the insects decline, which has been repeatedly denounced worldwide. Many recent studies indicate that the ongoing fragmentation, transformation and pollution of habitats, as well as the climate change have a serious impact on the diversity of insect communities at various spatial scales. The loss of insect species is being dramatic, as it affects directly the development of ecosystem functions that are crucial for the planet’s health and the human survival, for example pollination, regulation of matter cycles or natural pest control. Moreover, insects are of key importance for maintaining food webs sustaining life on Earth, in such a way that the additional loss of ecosystem functions derived from their interactions with other organisms is a justified concern that should motivate us to stop it. Insects decline is a result of an always-growing destruction process of nature having serious consequences on human health. From the pandemic of COVID-19, we have learnt that our health depends not only on technological advances, but also on the good health of our ecosystems and thus on the health of their animals and plants. The scientific perspective of ‘One Health’ suggests that our existence and the resolution of environmental and health problems cannot be considered separately without considering the complex web of life on Earth, conformed by millions of species, where insects are essential both in qualitative and quantitative terms.

For all these reasons, the aim of this congress is to bring together international experts in Entomology contributing to better understand biodiversity and, simultaneously, being able to make society aware of the causes of the insects decline and providing solutions for this phenomenon, which is already considered as one of the most serious problems of society due to its impact on the environment and human wellbeing.