A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new insect species right in the heart of Guangzhou, the bustling capital of south China’s Guangdong Province.
The tiny beetle, named Eidoreus haizhuensis, was unveiled during a mangrove conservation awareness event in the city on February 16, according to the Guangdong Academy of Sciences.
Measuring just 1.2 to 1.3 millimeters in length, this reddish-brown beetle boasts an oval shape and convex body. Its legs and antennae are slightly lighter in color, making it a unique find among its Coleoptera order relatives.
“Usually, larger insect groups attract more attention, and smaller ones are easily overlooked,” said Yu Yali, an associate researcher at the academy’s Institute of Zoology. “The discovery enriches species diversity and is of great significance to ecological protection and biological evolution research.”
What’s particularly remarkable is where this new species was found: the Haizhu Wetland, a 1,100-hectare urban oasis nestled in Guangzhou’s city center. Since 2020, Yu’s research team has been conducting comprehensive and systematic insect monitoring and investigations in the wetland.
Their findings, published in the international journal Zootaxa, highlight the rich biodiversity that can thrive even amidst urban environments. As of now, 903 insect species have been documented in the Haizhu Wetland.
“Biodiversity research and monitoring have been ongoing since 2012,” said Lin Zhibin from the Haizhu Wetland management team. “We’ve been actively creating habitats that support the survival of various species.”
The discovery of Eidoreus haizhuensis not only underscores the importance of urban conservation efforts but also serves as a reminder that nature can flourish even in the busiest of cities. For young people passionate about ecology and conservation, it’s a beacon of hope and a call to action to protect and appreciate the natural world around us.
