Eleven new species of true bugs (Heteroptera), commonly known as stnkbugs, and one new species of dung beetle have recently been discovered in Kenting National Park in southern Taiwan, park authorities said Jan. 17.
In addition, 35 species of true bugs not previously known to exist in Taiwan have been found crawling in the park, according to Hsieh Kuei-jen, a KNP official.
All told, 394 identified insect species call the park home, including 127 species of true bugs and 23 species of dung beetles.
“Many more insects roaming the park still need to be identified,” said Hsieh. “Over 1,200 types of insects inhabiting the park are still unknown to entomologists.”
Assassin bugs of the family Reduviidae account for almost 60 percent of the newly recorded species in the survey, Hsieh said.
Bagauda zigzag Redei & Tsai, in particular, was discovered in 2010, and only exists in the tropical monsoon forests of Kenting's coral tablelands.
The discoveries are part of a five-year biodiversity research project that started in 2010, she added, noting that the scale of the project is the largest of its kind so far.
A previous research project identified four new species of fireflies in the park.
Located in Pingtung County, Kenting is Taiwan’s oldest and southernmost national park. Covering 181 square kilometers of land and 152 square kilometers of sea, it is known for its tropical landscape and rich biodiversity. (HZW)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw