Guess what, nature lovers! 🌿 China's Mt. Wuyi National Park just got even more awesome. After a three-year biological survey, scientists have discovered 17 brand-new insect species fluttering and buzzing in this biodiversity hotspot! 🦋🐞
Mt. Wuyi National Park, perched in east China, isn't called the \"world of insects\" for nothing. 🌍🐜 With its lush mid-subtropical forest ecosystem, it's like the ultimate playground for creepy crawlies. Now, thanks to the latest survey, the park boasts a whopping 7,925 recorded insect species! Yup, you read that right. And seven of these are classified as national key protected animals. Talk about VIP insects! 🕷️👑
The survey kicked off in April 2021, and it's been like a real-life Pokémon quest for the researchers. 🎒🔬 They've documented a total of 34 new species, including the 17 newbie insects we mentioned earlier. Among these discoveries are five new species from the genus Elaphropeza. Ever heard of them? Neither had we! 🤓
\"The discovery of these five new species plays a huge role in understanding the resources of the genus,\" said Ma Fangzhou from the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science. \"It's super important for biological control in pest management and helps with biodiversity and environmental assessments.\" 🐛🌱
So next time you're exploring the great outdoors, remember there's a whole world buzzing beneath your feet. Who knows, maybe you'll discover the next big thing in the insect world! 🕵️♀️🌎
Reference(s):
17 new insect species discovered in China's Mt. Wuyi National Park
cgtn.com
