Recently, a new species of stag beetle named Falcicornis banjinshuaii was discovered in the Wudang district of Guiyang. This research achievement has been published in the internationally renowned zoological taxonomy journal Zootaxa, marking another significant advancement in the field of biodiversity research in Guiyang.

The Falcicornis banjinshuaii. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

According to research team members Yang Xuetong and Ban Jinshuai, although Guiyang boasts a forest coverage rate of 55.3 percent, the proportion of primary broadleaf mixed forests is relatively low, which poses a significant challenge to the search for stag beetles. In 2021, Yang first discovered an unknown female stag beetle in Wudang. However, despite continuous searches over the years, the corresponding male remained elusive.

In 2024, Ban unexpectedly found several unknown stag beetle larvae in a piece of decayed wood, and brought them back for rearing efforts. In early 2025, these larvae successfully metamorphosed, revealing the true form of the male of this new species.

The discovery of a new stag beetle species in Guiyang offers a valuable case for assessing and protecting biodiversity around urban areas. The research team is calling for strengthened protection and restoration of near-natural forest patches in urban areas to ensure native species have ample living space.