An Unforgettable Expedition in Search of Insects: the Fantastic Realm of Insects in Shennongjia

In early May, Xie Zhen and I arrived at the Guanmenshan Management Station, Shennongjia to conduct surveys and field collection in Qianjiaping and Guanmenshan, two important forest areas within Shennongjia. The spring chill of May had not yet dissipated in Shennongjia, resulting in a limited variety and quantity of insects available for collection. During this period, we encountered many insects that were not fully grown. On rainy or cold days, we would sometimes sort out specimens or just sit by the fireplace, keeping warm while exchanging ideas and experiences during the trip. We would move the specimens closer to the fireplace to prevent any mold.

Luo Chunmei, a supervisor from the Administration of Shennongjia National Park, led us in collecting butterflies at Guanmenshan. She shared with us a wealth of knowledge and experience in insect collection. Mrs. Luo has been conducting insect surveys in the Shennongjia region since 2017 and has compiled a field guide of Shennongjia butterfly resources. Her dedication and relentless pursuit of perfection in insect collection were truly admirable. Mrs. Luo told us that the Qianjiaping area, located above 1,800 meters in altitude, was home to the national second-class protected insect Bhutanitis thaidina, also known as Three-tailed Swallowtail butterfly. So the next day, we drove towards Qianjiaping in hopes of testing our luck. As luck would have it, a splendid Three-tailed Swallowtail flew towards us as soon as we parked the car. It was as graceful as a fairy in the mountain. In the end, I successfully collected a specimen of the Three-tailed Swallowtail.

Lai Xinying, a graduate student from Hunan Agricultural University, who specializes in the classification of moths, joined us in the collection, too. We formed a deep friendship during our time together. Lai visited this area every month to collect moths and conducted the painstaking work of specimen preparation and identification. According to him, the moth insect resources in Shennongjia were incredibly abundant. In fact, we encountered numerous moth species that we had never seen before in the city. This expedition offered a fresh perspective to those of us who had lived solely in urban areas.

In early June, Li Zhaoxu, who specialized in aphid classification from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhao Fang, who specialized in Collembola classification from Nanjing Agricultural University, joined our team. Each of our teammates had their own method of collecting insects. Lai Xinying, true to his night catching strategy, carried out his collections during the night while resting during the day. Every morning, we would find him with piles of specimens he caught and labeled the previous night stacked on the desk.

The unique approach Li Zhaoxu took really amazed me. As an aphid expert, Li would often stop by a small plant or tree for a long time. It turned out that she was looking for aphids by observing the trace of ants. She told us that the ant-aphid relationship was a perfect example of mutual benefit: ants fed on the honeydew secreted by aphids while the ants protected the aphids from their predators. According to this natural rule, Li Zhaoxu quickly found the aphid and saved us a lot of trouble.

Zhao Fang's methods of collecting and categorizing insects were truly extraordinary, too. She gathered soil from areas abundant with dry leaves and branches. After sieving the soil onto a white tray, she meticulously created a chessboard grid. Remarkably, she told us that this method was tailored according to the natural tendencies of the insects. The insects in the tray would involuntarily gravitate toward the empty spaces of the chessboard, ultimately succumbing to the fate of being swept into a centrifuge tube by her small brush. Zhao Fang possesses a profound knowledge of Collembola. She often pointed at the moving dots on the tray and confidently told us their scientific names. Her exceptional visual acuity was so awe-inspiring that it seemed as if she possessed a miniature microscope rather than mere eyes.

Those who immerse themselves in the world of insect field collection inevitably develop their own idiosyncratic habits. Li Zhaoxu, in particular, has a fondness for stroking the leaf blades gently as he leisurely walks. This simple act has become an integral part of his being. The allure of the leaves, and the potential hidden insect treasures they hold, captivates him even during moments of relaxation. Similarly for Zhao Fang, a fervent insect enthusiast, the sight of dry branches and fallen leaves often ignites a sense of serendipity within her, awakening her urge to explore. With a self-sealing bag within arm's reach, she often diligently preserves precious findings along the way and immediately begins the further examination and analysis upon her return to the simply-equipped laboratory.

After days of extensive exploration, Shennongjia has become more than a mere unfamiliar place confined to the pages of a book for me. It is a place where I have invested my effort and dedication, and the memories of my journey in Shennongjia are deeply etched in my heart. This remarkable haven for insects mirrors the profound attachment of the ones committed to insect collection. During the days of daily interactions and mutual learning, I have been inspired by the outstanding skills and noble sentiments of my team members and supervisors. Under their guidance, I, who used to be impatient, have learned to slow down and adopt a more measured approach, focusing on the subtle intricacies where a new realm of insect collection has been unveiled before me. (By Liu Genyu, North West Agriculture and Forestry University)