New Soldier Beetle

New Soldier Beetle

A new soldier beetle has been named after the Japanese animated TV series, “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” This is one of four solider beetles that has been recently discovered, all apart of the Cantharidae and genus Lycocerus family.

Yun Hsiao, an undergraduate student from National Taiwan University, professors Ping-Shih Yang and Chiun-Cheng Ko all collaborated with Japanese entomologist, Dr. Yûichi Okushima from Kurashiki Museum of Natural History when they found the 4 species. The team had examined more than 400 specimens from the museum collection when they discovered the four species.

The one beetle in particular, named after the show is Lycocerus evangelium. Not only does “evangelium” mean “good news” in Latin but it also the specific epithet in memory of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The other three beetles are Lycocerus yitingi, Lycocerus kintaroi and Lycocerus aurantiacus.