Entomologist Akito Kawahara says, "We can’t live without insects. They’re in trouble. And there’s something all of us can do to help." Kawahara’s research has primarily focused on answering fundamental questions about moth and butterfly evolution, according to a news release from the Florida Museum of Natural History. Kawahara is increasingly haunted by studies that sound the alarm about plummeting insect numbers and diversity. While scientists differ on the severity of the problem, many findings point to a general downward trend, with one study estimating 40% of insect species are vulnerable to extinction. In response, Kawahara has turned his attention to boosting people’s appreciation for some of the world’s most misunderstood animals.