Researchers may have identified new insect species within New York City's parks, according to preliminary findings from a scientific endeavor by Vox. During June, insect traps placed in Central Park and Prospect Park collected approximately 12,000 specimens, which were subsequently sent to the University of Guelph's Centre for Biodiversity Genomics in Canada for analysis.
The focus was placed on three groups of insects: scuttle flies and two types of parasitoid wasps. These groups are considered "dark taxa" because a significant number of species within them are believed to be undiscovered.
After analyzing DNA barcodes—unique genetic identifiers for organisms—from nearly 1,000 specimens collected in June, researchers found that many matched known species. However, over two dozen barcode groups from the wasps and flies exhibited distinct genetic profiles, differing significantly from anything in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), a comprehensive biodiversity database.
These genetic discrepancies have led to a strong indication that at least some of these barcode groups may represent new species. The process to confirm these findings is ongoing, involving entomologists like Emily Hartop from Norway’s NTNU University Museum and researchers Ranjith AP and Paul Hebert from the University of Guelph. They will work to verify that these specimens have not been previously described and formally document any new species with a scientific name in a peer-reviewed journal.
Challenges encountered during the project included the disappearance of a large insect trap from Central Park and the complexities of international shipping regulations for biological samples. The traps remain operational, and further analysis of collected specimens is planned.