Can social media help clarify the threat domestic cats pose to insect and spider populations?

In research published in Insect Conservation and Diversity, investigators analyzed records from social media to explore which arthropods—including insects and spiders—are most preyed upon by domestic cats in urban environments.

The scientists, who conduct their research at the University of Campinas, in Brazil, searched TikTok and iStock, analyzing more than 17,000 photos and videos, which yielded 550 records of predation events by domestic cats.

In total, they recorded 14 distinct arthropod orders killed by domestic cats. Orthoptera (which includes grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets) was the most frequently preyed upon order, accounting for 20.7% of records. Hemiptera (which includes more than 80,000 species of “true bugs”) and Blattodea (which includes cockroaches and termites) were also commonly observed (14.5% and 14.4%, respectively).

The findings reveal that domestic cats hunt a surprisingly diverse range of arthropods in urban settings. The data collected from social media showed similarities but also some differences compared with general patterns reported in the scientific literature.

“The most exciting aspect of our research is that we were able to use social media data to reveal an impact of domestic cats on biodiversity that has been relatively overlooked by the scientific literature," said Leticia Alexandre, lead author and undergraduate student at the University of Campinas. “Indeed, our results document cases of cats attacking groups of arthropods that have never been identified in academic papers as cats’ prey,” added co-author Raul Costa-Pereira, PhD. “Therefore, social media platforms can offer much more than cute photos and videos of cats, aiding in understanding and reducing their effects on biodiversity.”

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/icad.70038

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Insect Conservation and Diversity is a Royal Entomological Society journal that uniquely combines insect diversity and conservation, focusing on invertebrate preservation. Emphasizing wild arthropods and their specific relationships, our journal covers topics like biogeography, climate change impacts, conservation genetics, and global biodiversity.

About Wiley      
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.