Recently, a new species in the leaf-beetle genus Sphenoraia—Sphenoraia (Sphenoraioides) haizhuensis sp. nov.—was found in a biodiversity survey project carried out by the Haizhu Wetland in Guangzhou. The discovery of the haizhuensis in an urban wetland environment is relatively rare, and it is also an important indicator for the restoration of Guangzhou's urban ecological environment.

This important discovery was officially announced at the 31st Guangdong Wildlife Protection Month on October 31. And the discovery has been published in Entomotaxonomia, an international peer-reviewed journal for publication of high-quality original articles in the theory and application of insect taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, biodiversity, and related fields.

(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)

The new species is 6.0-6.5mm long and 4.0-4.3mm wide with a yellow brown body and dark brown tentacles. Each elytron, the horny front wings of beetles, has 7 dark spots. Its head is relatively bulging and the feet are well developed. The front and middle feet are shorter, and the hind feet are the longest. 

(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)

This new species was discovered by a team of researchers led by Yang Xingke from the Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences. Since July 2020, professor Yang and his team have set up long-term monitoring points in different regions of Haizhu Wetland to conduct a comprehensive and systematic investigation of the insect diversity of the Wetland.

According to Yang, in the past, the discovery of new species generally happened in the wild or other natural environments. Therefore, this time the discovery of the haizhuensis in urban wetland is relatively rare, and it is also an important indicator for the restoration of Guangzhou's urban ecological environment. 

(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)

As of July 2021, all specimens collected in this insect survey have been basically classified. The number of specimens obtained has reached more than 150,000, and 192 species of 26 families in one order have been newly recorded. The species of insects have increased from the original 346 to 535.

"The abundance and diversity of the insect species in Haizhu Wetland is beyond our imagination," professor Yang said. "I believe that there is more than one new species in Haizhu Wetland, and there will be more new species to be discovered in the future."

(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)

Author: Ariel

Editor: Monica, Will, Jerry