Wildlife researchers have identified dozens of previously unknown insect species during an expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima Plateau, a conservation group announced on Wednesday.
The Wilderness Project explored the plateau’s waterways, which feed four of Africa’s major river systems: the Congo, Okavango, Zambezi and Cuanza.
Among the discoveries were eight new dragonfly species, three previously unknown grasshoppers and around 60 new butterflies and moths displaying a range of striking colours.
Researchers also documented an armoured predatory cricket, a newly identified copper-coloured caterpillar and its adult butterfly form, as well as a crowned crab spider that glows under ultraviolet light.
Another notable find was a new blood orange-coloured ladybird orb-weaver spider. The species mimics ladybirds by using its bright colouring to warn predators that it may be toxic or unpalatable.
Expedition leader Rob Taylor described the armoured crickets as particularly remarkable.
“The armoured crickets are very cool ... very fierce-looking,” Taylor told Reuters. “As a defence mechanism, they can actually squirt fluid onto whoever's trying to attack them.”
The discoveries come as scientists worldwide seek to catalogue species before they disappear amid a growing biodiversity crisis.
Researchers estimate that Earth is home to around 8.7 million species, yet only about 1.5 million have been formally identified by science.
Human activity continues to drive species loss, with more than 800 animal species believed to have become extinct since 1500 and around one million plant and animal species currently facing the risk of extinction.
Taylor warned that the Lisima Plateau’s unique wildlife faces increasing pressure from deforestation, tree-felling and artisanal diamond mining.
He also highlighted the impact of slash-and-burn farming, a practice that clears forests for cultivation but often leaves soil depleted as nutrients are washed away, further degrading natural habitats.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika. ...
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), the ambitious multimodal transit corridor designed to connect mainland Azerbaijan with...
Armenia’s National Assembly election on 7 June is increasingly being viewed not only as a domestic political contest, but also as a vote that could ...
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it oper...
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they l...
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
Armenia’s National Assembly election on 7 June is increasingly being viewed not only as a domestic political contest, but also as a vote that could shape the future direction of the South Caucasus.
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it operates beyond conventional oversight. A maritime law expert explains how it works, who profits, and why much of the world looks the other way.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Niño will develop in the second half of 2026, bringing hotter, drier conditions to much of Asia while increasing rainfall in parts of North and South America.
Google has asked U.S. regulators for permission to release up to 32 million sterilised mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of its experimental “Debug” programme aimed at reducing populations of disease-carrying insects.
Thai investigators seized more than 100 protected wildlife remains after raiding a souvenir and traditional medicine shop accused of selling wildlife carcasses online.
As climate pressures and urbanisation accelerate worldwide, governments are increasingly investing in smart cities and villages to build more sustainable and resilient communities. Across the world, digital technologies are reshaping how cities and rural areas are planned and managed.
The UK is experiencing potentially record-breaking temperatures after forecasters confirmed some areas reached highs close to 34°C on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment