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In his oration, he described the interaction between humans and insects as a “Clash of the Titans”—two powerful, abundant life forms that are constantly interacting, often without us realizing it. “We are big, they are small, but we have always coexisted,” he remarked.

He emphasized that the evolution of human civilization has been significantly influenced by insects. With a population ratio of one million insects to every one human, and total insect biomass equaling that of approximately 300 million humans, ecologically speaking, it is humans who are living in the insects’ world.

Prof. Ramadhani addressed the common perception of insects as harmful pests, which has triggered a prolonged battle against them—such as the use of pesticides that not only damage the environment but also lead to the emergence of more resistant pest species.

The Benefits of Insects for Human Life

One key point he conveyed was the crucial role of insects as pollinators. Around 75% of the world's food supply depends on insect pollination. In Indonesia, the economic value of pollination by stingless bees (Tetragonula laeviceps) in West Java alone is estimated at IDR 7 trillion per year.

In addition to pollination, insects also serve as decomposers. The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is a prime example—capable of processing nearly all types of organic matter, including biohazardous waste like medical residues. BSF larvae can extract valuable compounds from waste and convert them into high-protein biomass, oil (potentially usable as industrial lubricant), and frass, which can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

High-Value Products from Insects

Prof. Ramadhani also shared his research findings on high-value products derived from insects, particularly stingless bees. The honey produced by these bees contains higher levels of flavonoids compared to European and Asian honeybee species, making it effective as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and wound-healing agent.

Another product, propolis, made by stingless bees, contains over 300 bioactive molecules and has potential as a wound-healing agent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and even anticancer compound. Together with his team, he has developed a prototype of a propolis-based wound dressing designed to treat chronic wounds, offering a more affordable solution for diabetic patients.

He concluded that human-insect interactions, when viewed through an economic lens, reveal that insects hold untapped potential to address various human challenges.

“Indonesia has extraordinary insect biodiversity. This is not merely a legacy—it is a future resource we can harness,” he emphasized.

He emphasized the need for boldness in changing perceptions through multidisciplinary approaches and cross-field collaboration to achieve collective advancement. “One day, we may discover a cancer cure from cockroaches, or new medicines from flies,” he added.

Profile of Prof. Ramadhani Eka Putra

Prof. Ramadhani Eka Putra was born in Bandar Lampung on September 7, 1977. He is a professor in the field of Biological Resource Management at ITB’s School of Life Sciences and Technology. He earned his undergraduate and first master’s degree from ITB, and his second master’s and doctoral degrees from Kanazawa University, Japan.

In addition to serving as a member of the SITH ITB Senate and mentoring graduate students, he is actively involved in research and community service. His academic output includes 89 papers in international journals and proceedings, and 44 papers at the national level. He has supervised 200 undergraduate, 22 master’s, and 3 doctoral students. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the ITB Outstanding Lecturer Award in Innovation (2016) and the YARSI Research Award (2017).