Sensational discovery in the Leipzig floodplain forest

The insect was caught by the researchers and students during an excursion to the floodplain forest. (Picture: Lisa Hahn)

The site of the discovery was the Burgaue nature reserve. (Picture: Lisa Hahn)

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Extremely rare insect species discovered during a field trip

Based on a media release by the Leipzig University

Leipzig. Researchers and biology students from the University of Leipzig have discovered an extremely rare insect during a zoological field trip in the Leipzig floodplain forest: Bittacus hageni, belonging to the order of scorpionflies. The researchers caught several specimens in the leaf canopy of the Leipzig floodplain forest. This species is only found in very few places in Europe. In Germany, it was considered extinct until 2003. The find, which the researchers describe in the journal Entomologische Nachrichten und Berichte, highlights the importance of the Leipzig floodplain forest as a unique but endangered habitat. But it also proves the importance of student excursions to make valuable discoveries possible.

The full text is only available in German.