This photo taken on Feb 13, 2025 shows an Eidoreus haizhuensis through a microscope. Chinese researchers have discovered a new insect species, Eidoreus haizhuensis, in a wetland in Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong province, the Guangdong Academy of Sciences said on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]

On Sunday, World Wetland Day, Chinese researchers announced the discovery of a new micro ladybug species during the Mangrove Conservation Promotion Event in Haizhu Wetland Park in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

The discovery of Eidoreus Haizhuensis was published in the international journal Zootaxa.

The species measures just 1.2-1.3 millimeters in length - about the size of a sesame seed - and is distinguished by its red-brown color, which appears lighter on its feet and antennae, and sparse yellow bristles.

It was discovered during the 2022 insect survey of the Haizhu Wetland Park in the district of the same name, thus earning it the name Haizhu Ladybug.

This sample graph shows the newly found insect species Eidoreus haizhuensis. [Photo/Xinhua]

Three specimens were found within the park's research spaces of Wetland Phase II and Wetland Phase III. The surrounding habitat mainly comprises fruit trees such as longan and lychee.

The micro ladybug family, previously considered a subfamily of the pseudo ladybug family, was recently elevated to an independent family based on molecular data.

Only seven genera and 19 species of micro ladybugs are known, most of which are confined to islands in Central and South America and South Africa.

The discovery highlights the success of the Haizhu Wetland Park's biodiversity conservation efforts.

Yu Yali, an associate researcher at the Guangdong Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology, observes insect samples in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Feb 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yu Yali, a PhD with the Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, said the Haizhu Ladybug's size makes it exceptionally difficult to find, and research on this species is still in its infancy.

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb 11, 2025 shows the Haizhu Wetland where Eidoreus haizhuensis was found in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Researchers collected over 500,000 insect specimens during the survey, meticulously examining tens of thousands under a stereomicroscope before identifying the new species.

Yu said the Haizhu Ladybug was more challenging to discover than previous discoveries in the park.

A researcher from the Guangdong Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology shows the samples of Eidoreus haizhuensis in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Feb 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

In 2021 and 2022, the park released two other new species: the Haizhu Firefly Leaf Beetle and the Haizhu Axis Beetle.

Source: China Daily
Editor: Lyu Yun