Urban Bug Traps Reveal Potential New Insect Species in New York City
Researchers using large insect traps in New York City have identified dozens of DNA barcode groups that may represent previously unknown species.
In the summer, a media outlet installed two large insect traps across New York City, aiming to uncover undocumented urban species. In June alone, the devices collected an estimated 12,000 specimens, which were forwarded to the Center for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph in Canada. Scientists focused on scuttle flies and two types of parasitoid wasps, extracting DNA barcodes from just under 1,000 samples.
While most barcodes matched known insects, more than two dozen groups showed significant divergence from entries in the global BOLD database, hinting at possible new species. Taxonomists including Emily Hartop, Ranjith AP, and Paul Hebert are now reviewing the data to confirm novelty and prepare formal descriptions. The effort encountered challenges such as the disappearance of the Central Park trap and the intricacies of shipping live specimens abroad. The traps remain active as the research continues.
Why it matters
Discovering new urban species expands our understanding of biodiversity and highlights the hidden ecosystems within cities.
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