Insect return: Rediscovered hidden species in Berlin!

Insect return: Rediscovered hidden species in Berlin!

In a remarkable rediscovery process, several types of insects, which were believed to be lost in Berlin, were again visible. This emerges from a current communication by the Nature Conservation Foundation, which was published on the occasion of the day of biological diversity on May 22, 2025. Significant finds from various sites of the city have been documented within the past twelve months.

Among the rediscovered species is the glossy-black furrow steady beetle (apphalisticus emarginatus), which was spotted in the Grunewald in September 2022 and was considered extinct for over 100 years. Another remarkable return is the oak edge rim (Ennomos Quercinaria), which was rediscovered after 35 years in July 2024. In addition, the small herobock (Cerambyx Scopolii) was documented in the Wartenberger Feldmark in May 2024, while the mädesüß-Perlmutterfalter (Brenthis Ino) was spotted in Tegeler in June 2024. The braiding species of Brauner Mossbart (Bryoria FusceScens) was also rediscovered in October 2024 on the Hahneberg after it was last demonstrated in 2000 at the Müggelsee reports .

Contribution of citizens to biodiversity

The finds were reported via the species finder Berlin , which invites citizens to enter their nature observations. Since its introduction in 2018, the species finder has collected over 69,000 observations for more than 2,900 different species. The approximately 3,200 new certificates have been particularly striking since the beginning of the year, which are now checked by experts in order to officially release the finds. Yannick Brenz, the head of the species finder Berlin, emphasizes the crucial role of committed individuals who contribute to the visibility of biodiversity added .

These returnees are part of a more comprehensive topic that illuminates the current biodiversity crisis. The loss of biological diversity, including insect populations, is due to numerous factors, including sealing, pollutant entries, the use of pesticides and the climate crisis. Insects such as honeybees and wild bees play an important role in pollination of plants and are therefore of crucial importance for the food generation .

Sustainable initiatives to protect biodiversity

In order to counter the decline in insect populations, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) has launched various strategies that aim to maintain and promote biodiversity. This includes the insect protection action program and the promotion of ecological cultivation methods that refrain from using chemical-synthetic pesticides .

The current rediscovered insect species symbolically stand for the possibilities that exist when citizens and institutions work together to protect natural diversity. The success of this decline shows how important research and civil engagement is in the preservation of biodiversity in urban areas.