The 2026 PNAS study estimates that Earth may host up to 20.3 million insect species, most of which remain undiscovered, underscoring the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and modern taxonomic tools like DNA barcoding.
NEWS: A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) estimated that over 90% of global insect biodiversity remains undiscovered.
ABOUT
- Researchers studied Microgastrinae, a highly diverse subfamily of parasitoid wasps, to estimate global insect diversity.
- The study was conducted in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 15 Malaise traps captured around 1.63 million tropical insects.
- DNA barcoding was used to identify species rapidly.
- The study identified:
- 53,945 insect species from Malaise traps.
- 1,414 species of Microgastrinae wasps.
- Estimated global insect diversity: 14.2–20.3 million species, with a preferred estimate of 20.3 million.
KEY TERMS
- Malaise Trap: Tent-like mesh trap used to capture flying insects.
- DNA Barcoding: Molecular technique using a short mitochondrial DNA sequence for rapid species identification.
- Microgastrinae: Parasitoid wasps that lay eggs inside caterpillars; larvae develop by feeding on the host.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Highlights the vast undocumented insect diversity.
- Demonstrates the importance of DNA barcoding in taxonomy.
- Reveals a severe shortage of taxonomists.
- Provides better estimates for global biodiversity.