Researchers Discover Unknown Beetle Species Just Steps From Their Lab

Researchers at Kyushu University discovered a new one-millimeter ladybird beetle, Parastethorus pinicola, on Japanese black pine at the Hakozaki Satellite campus.

A three-year review of about 1,700 specimens also corrected past misidentifications and identified another new species from Hokkaido.

The study revised Japan’s Stethorini classification for the first time in 50 years, updating the status of several species.

The find highlights how important biodiversity can still be hidden in urban and campus environments.