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Apart from the factual horror story it tells, the report published in the British scientific journal Biological Conservation is notable for the passionate tone the authors take.
They are clear: "Unless we change our ways of producing food, insects as a whole will do down the path of extinction in a few decades. The repercussions this will have for the planet's ecosystems are catastrophic to say the least."
Because insects are small, mostly unattractive in the cuddly animal photogenic stakes, this mass extinction has gone for too long unnoticed.
That's changed a little over the last few years, with the health of the bee population, in particular, coming in for attention - but still not much is changing as far as our destructive food growing practices go.
Massive for-export farms and orchards may look healthy from a distance, but often they are ecological deserts closer up. The soil is literally being sterilised by artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides.
The absence of bacteria, grubs and critters in the soil means less food for insects further up the food chain. Insects are simply dying - whole species in many cases - because of a lack of food.
As yet there are not enough studies of insect populations in New Zealand, but one survey pointed to 32.5 per cent of insect species we have information on being in decline or at risk of extinction.
Conversely, there are a few introduced pest species that are doing well, and potentially others wishing to establish themselves here. They are a threat to native species.
If we're going to fire our spray guns, we should be limiting it to controlling and eradicating species that are a danger to the existing ecosystem, including our own health in the case of the world's deadliest animal, the mosquito.
Otherwise, like the ageing cowboy, we need to put away our spray guns. Our aerial spray planes and helicopters need to be grounded. We have a mass extinction to prevent.
Organic farming methods can feed the world; most studies put the yield of organic farms equal to or above industrial farming methods. The knowledge of techniques for different climates and terrains is growing all the time.
Individual New Zealand farmers are making the decision to go organic, all power to them - but councils and government need to set the standard too.
We need a plan that phases out pesticide and artificial fertiliser use within 10 years. No stuffing around with long time frames that mean nothing's done, we need politicians at all levels prepared to face down vested interests and act now.
We need to elect ones who understand what must be done and we need to pester, like an annoying wasp, the ones who don't.
At stake is a healthy, thriving insect population that's our responsibility to bequeath to following generations. Our own health and wellbeing as a species depends on the survival of the smallest creatures on the planet.
You can help reverse the insect decline by doing these things:
1. Buy organic food if you can, locally grown if possible. Imported organic coffee is better than coffee grown using artificial fertilisers and pesticides.
2. Stop spraying weeds on the section. Put up with some, weed by hand the ones that are too invasive. Pour boiling water on weeds growing in cracks in concrete or paving stones.
3. Investigate organic techniques to limit damage by fungiand insects to food crops. With a diverse ecosystem that includes numerous insect predators a balance can be achieved.
4. Let your lawn grow longer so that flowers come and go throughout the year. When you do mow, cut high so that as much as possible of the insect habitat is left intact.
5. Plant a variety of plants and shrubs along with fruit trees. A range of flower size for different insects is important, as well as making sure there are plants flowering all year round.
6. Reserve a part of your section for an organic pile of wood which provides shelter and food for fungi, bacteria, grubs and the insects that'll feed on them. For the same reason, leave bark and grass clippings scattered under trees.
7. Don't trailer plant material to the dump, find a place for it on your section. And of course have a compost bin and worm farm, which will be home for thousands of insects in no time, as well as providing the nutrient food needed for your garden.
8. In general, adopt a different aesthetic for your garden, one that's slightly overgrown but teeming with insect life.
