Scared of spiders? Scientists say the real nightmare is losing them

Spiders and insects may not be fan favorites, but they are vital to the health of ecosystems-and scientists barely know how theyre doing. Researchers found that nearly 90% of North Americas insect and arachnid species have no conservation status, leaving their fate largely unknown. Even more striking, most states dont protect a single arachnid species. The study warns that these overlooked creatures are essential to planetary health and urgently need better monitoring and protection.