Normally, the scientists from the History Museum of Los Angeles County use complex DNA bar-coding technology to identify species, but with the machine stuck at the office, the museum’s staff have turned to simple microscopes to identify specimens. They’ve been busy at home and have actually identified nine new insect species.
The insects, mostly small flies, wasps, and wasp-like flies, had been collected through the BioSCAN project, which began in 2012 with insect traps set at 30 sites throughout Los Angeles. In the first three years of the project, the team discovered 30 new species of insects. There is minimal research being done into urban wildlife, so the team regularly discovers astounding new finds.
The new work-from-home method is no easy task. Some specimen are only two millimeters long so it can take 10 or 20 minutes to identify a sample.
The new discoveries include phorid flies and botflies, which had never before been seen in Southern California. Their work has highlighted the incredible wildlife diversity, even in urban areas, and vastly expanded the database on California insects.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck working from home, just remember that even less than ideal circumstances can yield great things if we get a bit creative.
