Probaly the reserach changed the folk wisom "somewhat more" to "31.4% more" (±.1?). It's useful to compare it in the future like 2124, or measure it in differet environments.

(And it may have some indirect aplications, like when is it better to apply insecticide in a corn filed?)

Insects are important for human survival.

The article is probably related with the studies that show an allegedly decline of insects in the current sixth extinction context.