BioInsecta researchers find an anomalous concentration of insects in the Amazon

Researchers from the international BioInsecta project have discovered an anomalous concentration of insect life within a 10,000-hectare area of the Brazilian Amazon. The biological inventory indicates that up to 40,000 insect species may inhabit this single site—representing approximately 0.7% of all known insect species on Earth. Multilayered Monitoring and Vertical Traps To capture a complete picture of the ecosystem, the team moved beyond traditional ground-level sampling. They implemented a multi-tiered monitoring system using vertical mesh traps that span from the forest floor to tree canopies at heights of up to 30 meters. The canopy levels proved to be the primary reservoir of biodiversity. Over 14 months of continuous field work, scientists collected more than 5.5 million specimens. In addition to the mesh traps, the team utilized light installations to attract nocturnal moths and organic decay baits to lure rare species of flies and carrion beetles.