From 2021 to 2022, 9 new species of insects have been discovered in Guangzhou’s Haizhu wetland, adding the wetland’s insect species to 738 by August this year, according to the latest investigation report (2021-2022) released by the Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences.
Coleoptera is one of the focuses of the investigation. As one of the most diverse and widely distributed insects, Coleoptera accounts for 38% of the entire insect class. They are so highly sensitive to environmental changes that can serve as an indicator species for detecting changes in the environment and biodiversity.
The report also showed a high degree of beetle diversity in the Haizhu wetland. Beetles with various feeding habits have been found in the wetland, including leaf beetles and weevils that eat plants, sap beetles that eat mushrooms, and ladybugs that prey on other creatures.
These newly discovered insect species enrich China's insect fauna data, provide support for insect species research and clues for exploring insects’ origin.
Author | Alice, Catherine(intern)
Editor | Wing, Will, Jerry
