Insects can be found in almost any environment on earth, though they have not inhabited the ocean with much success. Some insects breed in tide pools and there is even a water strider that can be found skating across the open ocean. The ocean domain has been left to the insect s cousins, the crustaceans. Insects are masters of land, air and fresh water. They even live on polar ice caps.
Insects are also the most important animal in relation to the survival of the human race.
In California one third of our food production relies on honeybees. Most people know that crops such as almonds, citrus and peaches are pollinated by bees, but few realize that even the cattle industry depends on bees. Without bees to pollinate clover, alfalfa and other livestock feeds, hamburgers would be a rare commodity. Insects can also be incredible pests, devouring crops and spreading diseases such as malaria and sleeping sickness. It takes all the ingenuity humans can muster to deal with pest insects.