Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum
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Explore the ecology and biodiversity
Research • Education • Preservation
Research • Education • Preservation
These bees were found to differentiate between odd and even quantities, a task once believed to be exclusive to higher vertebrates. Cognitive skills such as distinguishing between different quantities may enhance 𝘈. 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢’s efficiency in foraging, navigation, and hive management.
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
These bees were found to differentiate between odd and even quantities, a task once believed to be exclusive to higher vertebrates. Cognitive skills such as distinguishing between different quantities may enhance 𝘈. 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢’s efficiency in foraging, navigation, and hive management.
The HKBM was recently honored to receive a specimen donation of 96 cockroaches🪳. The order Blattodea encompasses both cockroaches and termites, representing one of the most ancient and diverse groups of insects on Earth, with over 4,500 known species of cockroaches in nature.
November 12, 2025 at 7:42 AM
The HKBM was recently honored to receive a specimen donation of 96 cockroaches🪳. The order Blattodea encompasses both cockroaches and termites, representing one of the most ancient and diverse groups of insects on Earth, with over 4,500 known species of cockroaches in nature.
This species is 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘦𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴, a type of leaf-footed bug within the Coreidae family. These insects get their common name from the distinct, flattened, leaf-like enlargements often found on their hind legs. They feed on the sap of plants using their piercing-sucking mouthparts.
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 AM
This species is 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘦𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴, a type of leaf-footed bug within the Coreidae family. These insects get their common name from the distinct, flattened, leaf-like enlargements often found on their hind legs. They feed on the sap of plants using their piercing-sucking mouthparts.
𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢 moths are a fascinating and diverse group of small to medium-sized moths in the family Geometridae. As you can see from the image, 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢 species show off beautiful wavy patterns on their wings, which are usually dark brown or reddish.
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 AM
𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢 moths are a fascinating and diverse group of small to medium-sized moths in the family Geometridae. As you can see from the image, 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢 species show off beautiful wavy patterns on their wings, which are usually dark brown or reddish.
One particularly striking behavior is the “stink fight”. When two male lemurs square off, they each rub their tails with secretions from their scent glands, then waft the smell toward each other by waving the tail in the air. This action often settles disputes without the need for physical combat💥.
October 31, 2025 at 3:25 AM
One particularly striking behavior is the “stink fight”. When two male lemurs square off, they each rub their tails with secretions from their scent glands, then waft the smell toward each other by waving the tail in the air. This action often settles disputes without the need for physical combat💥.
Caddisflies closely resemble moths but their wings are covered with fine hairs instead of scales. They are good ecological indicators as they are only found in high-quality, clean streams and lakes as the majority of the Trichoptera larvae are aquatic.
October 28, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Caddisflies closely resemble moths but their wings are covered with fine hairs instead of scales. They are good ecological indicators as they are only found in high-quality, clean streams and lakes as the majority of the Trichoptera larvae are aquatic.
Visualize a Chinese Sturgeon leaping from the Yangtze River, breaking the surface with a resounding splash! These leaps serve critical purposes: the sound helps sturgeons communicate during migrations, maintaining group cohesion.
October 24, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Visualize a Chinese Sturgeon leaping from the Yangtze River, breaking the surface with a resounding splash! These leaps serve critical purposes: the sound helps sturgeons communicate during migrations, maintaining group cohesion.
Near grasslands, you may come across the Dirt-colored Seed Bug, also known as 𝘕𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴. They might be found on the ground or on its host plants. As their name suggests, they feed on the seeds of various plants. They use a piercing-sucking mouthpart, which is called a proboscis.
October 21, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Near grasslands, you may come across the Dirt-colored Seed Bug, also known as 𝘕𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴. They might be found on the ground or on its host plants. As their name suggests, they feed on the seeds of various plants. They use a piercing-sucking mouthpart, which is called a proboscis.
The legs of 𝘙. 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 are all phyllopodous. This allows for efficient digging which the species performs very often. Strangely, despite all legs being used for digging, only the second and third pair of legs are used for walking 🚶, with the fourth and fifth pairs being lifted up.
October 17, 2025 at 5:27 AM
The legs of 𝘙. 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 are all phyllopodous. This allows for efficient digging which the species performs very often. Strangely, despite all legs being used for digging, only the second and third pair of legs are used for walking 🚶, with the fourth and fifth pairs being lifted up.
When you think of crickets🦗, you will likely think of them chirping. 🗣️Interestingly, the male tree crickets of the genus Aphonoides do not have a stridulatory apparatus, so they do not chirp. 🔇This is why the specimen is named the Slender Silent Bush Cricket, also known as 𝘈𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴.
October 14, 2025 at 7:12 AM
When you think of crickets🦗, you will likely think of them chirping. 🗣️Interestingly, the male tree crickets of the genus Aphonoides do not have a stridulatory apparatus, so they do not chirp. 🔇This is why the specimen is named the Slender Silent Bush Cricket, also known as 𝘈𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴.
A reference to the milky, white mucus secreted when they are aggravated or stressed, and which release a pungent odor and smells like Japanese peppers, a reason why 𝘈. 𝘫𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 have been given a common name in Japan that translates to “big pepper fish”.
October 10, 2025 at 5:59 AM
A reference to the milky, white mucus secreted when they are aggravated or stressed, and which release a pungent odor and smells like Japanese peppers, a reason why 𝘈. 𝘫𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 have been given a common name in Japan that translates to “big pepper fish”.
Interestingly, some rove beetle species can live alongside ants and termites in their nests. These beetles produce fluids that the ants consume. Also, do not worry if you find these little insects in your backyard or garden because they help get rid of fleas and various garden pests.
October 7, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Interestingly, some rove beetle species can live alongside ants and termites in their nests. These beetles produce fluids that the ants consume. Also, do not worry if you find these little insects in your backyard or garden because they help get rid of fleas and various garden pests.
Their sharp spicules defence mechanism protects the sea fans from general feeders like flamingo tongue snails but is insufficient against specialist predators. Hence the sea fans evolved a chemical defense through the secretion of ‘julieannafuran’ to deter sea slugs and other predators.
October 3, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Their sharp spicules defence mechanism protects the sea fans from general feeders like flamingo tongue snails but is insufficient against specialist predators. Hence the sea fans evolved a chemical defense through the secretion of ‘julieannafuran’ to deter sea slugs and other predators.
On your next weekly hike, you might be lucky enough to meet a species of Cerambycidae🪲, the longhorn beetles, such as 𝘡𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘮 (Gressitt, 1942)! You can't miss its pair of long antennae that it uses like satellite dishes 📡 to sniff out pheromones and read environmental cues.
September 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM
On your next weekly hike, you might be lucky enough to meet a species of Cerambycidae🪲, the longhorn beetles, such as 𝘡𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘮 (Gressitt, 1942)! You can't miss its pair of long antennae that it uses like satellite dishes 📡 to sniff out pheromones and read environmental cues.
There are 19 species of sengis in the world. Among them, the golden-rumped sengi 𝘙𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘨𝘶𝘴 (Günther, 1881) is notable for its distinctive gold-colored patch on its rump and grizzled gold fur on its forehead. The golden flash of their fur can deflect a predator’s attention.
September 26, 2025 at 7:06 AM
There are 19 species of sengis in the world. Among them, the golden-rumped sengi 𝘙𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘨𝘶𝘴 (Günther, 1881) is notable for its distinctive gold-colored patch on its rump and grizzled gold fur on its forehead. The golden flash of their fur can deflect a predator’s attention.
Buzzing around from flower to flower is a tiny pollinator powerhouse called Hewitt’s Reed Bee, 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪 (Cameron, 1908) 🐝🌼. These bees are polylectic, which means they visit a wide range of plants and forage throughout a plant’s entire blooming period.
September 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Buzzing around from flower to flower is a tiny pollinator powerhouse called Hewitt’s Reed Bee, 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪 (Cameron, 1908) 🐝🌼. These bees are polylectic, which means they visit a wide range of plants and forage throughout a plant’s entire blooming period.
With their striking beauty and hidden danger, species of lionfish (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘴 spp., Oken, 1817) have venomous spines surrounded by sheaths that, when punctured, release venom into the victim’s body. The venom contains neurotoxic peptides and other bioactive substances.
September 19, 2025 at 7:25 AM
With their striking beauty and hidden danger, species of lionfish (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘴 spp., Oken, 1817) have venomous spines surrounded by sheaths that, when punctured, release venom into the victim’s body. The venom contains neurotoxic peptides and other bioactive substances.
Keep an eye out for 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 (Donovan, 1798), also known as the froghopper in your garden! They get their fun name from their incredible jumping power 🆙. Believe it or not, they can launch themselves up to 70 cm in the air, or 50 times their own length 🦘!
September 16, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Keep an eye out for 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 (Donovan, 1798), also known as the froghopper in your garden! They get their fun name from their incredible jumping power 🆙. Believe it or not, they can launch themselves up to 70 cm in the air, or 50 times their own length 🦘!
Researchers found that the hue and iridescence of a peacock’s blue-green eye-like markings significantly impact mating success; when stickers were placed over a male's iridescent eyespots, his mating success dropped to nearly zero.
September 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Researchers found that the hue and iridescence of a peacock’s blue-green eye-like markings significantly impact mating success; when stickers were placed over a male's iridescent eyespots, his mating success dropped to nearly zero.
Seek out the shining leaf beetle, 𝘓𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘦𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢 (Fabricius 1792), in sunlit clearings along the edges of woods and fields. If you approach too closely, do not be fooled by its sudden, dramatic act. It will drop and play dead in a clever defensive trick, a behaviour known as thanatosis.
September 9, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Seek out the shining leaf beetle, 𝘓𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘦𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢 (Fabricius 1792), in sunlit clearings along the edges of woods and fields. If you approach too closely, do not be fooled by its sudden, dramatic act. It will drop and play dead in a clever defensive trick, a behaviour known as thanatosis.
For Hong Kong South Sea Crabs, the larval development occurs entirely in the eggs before they were hatched, and they directly spawn as free-living juvenile crabs. These juvenile crabs would eventually develop into adult Hong Kong South Sea Crabs following a series of molts.🦀
September 5, 2025 at 5:38 AM
For Hong Kong South Sea Crabs, the larval development occurs entirely in the eggs before they were hatched, and they directly spawn as free-living juvenile crabs. These juvenile crabs would eventually develop into adult Hong Kong South Sea Crabs following a series of molts.🦀
Despite being a bee, this black and blue ⚫🐝🔵 species lacks corbicula (pollen baskets) on its hind legs. Instead of harvesting pollen, it practices kleptoparasitism - true to its name, it stealthily lays eggs in the unguarded nests of other bees 😎🪺.
September 2, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Despite being a bee, this black and blue ⚫🐝🔵 species lacks corbicula (pollen baskets) on its hind legs. Instead of harvesting pollen, it practices kleptoparasitism - true to its name, it stealthily lays eggs in the unguarded nests of other bees 😎🪺.
The Surinam cockroach primarily inhabits leaf litter, humus interstices, and areas beneath stones, thriving in moist, organic-rich soils. Males are darker in coloration, often display a deep brown hue, and may have longer antennae, while females tend to be larger with a more rounded abdomen.
August 29, 2025 at 2:33 AM
The Surinam cockroach primarily inhabits leaf litter, humus interstices, and areas beneath stones, thriving in moist, organic-rich soils. Males are darker in coloration, often display a deep brown hue, and may have longer antennae, while females tend to be larger with a more rounded abdomen.
𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢, recognizable for the striking eye-like markings on their abdomen whose females are wingless and thus resemble ants. This solitary wasp looks for other solitary bees or wasps nests on the ground, laying an egg that will hatch into a larva that consumes the host’s provisions 🥚🍽️.
August 26, 2025 at 2:42 AM
𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢, recognizable for the striking eye-like markings on their abdomen whose females are wingless and thus resemble ants. This solitary wasp looks for other solitary bees or wasps nests on the ground, laying an egg that will hatch into a larva that consumes the host’s provisions 🥚🍽️.
Reabsorption occurs in response to unfavorable environments, such as changes in temperature, water quality, light intensity, and nutrient availability. By reabsorbing oocytes, the coral conserves energy and resources, ensuring survival until conditions improve for future reproduction.
August 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Reabsorption occurs in response to unfavorable environments, such as changes in temperature, water quality, light intensity, and nutrient availability. By reabsorbing oocytes, the coral conserves energy and resources, ensuring survival until conditions improve for future reproduction.