Successful Mating and Breeding of Jangsu Sky Beetles in Chuncheon and Gwangneung

"Securing Genetic Diversity Through Mating with External Regional Entities..."

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] The longhorn beetle (a natural monument) discovered in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province for the first time in 46 years has successfully bred with an individual living in the Gwangneung Forest in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. On the 13th, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced that one of the female longhorn beetles artificially bred after being found in Chuncheon last August mated for the first time with a male from the Gwangneung Forest, completing egg-laying and hatching.

The two mated in late February and laid eggs around mid-March. On the 3rd, larvae less than 1 cm in length appeared for the first time. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage explained, "This is the first time that the Chuncheon longhorn beetle has passed on its lineage through mating with individuals from an external region, providing an opportunity to secure the genetic diversity of the longhorn beetle." The female longhorn beetle from Chuncheon that succeeded in breeding has died. Among the remaining four, there is one female and three males. The institute plans to bring two females from the Gwangneung Forest to attempt breeding.

The place where the longhorn beetle was discovered last year was designated as the ‘Chuncheon Longhorn Beetle Habitat’ in 1962 but was submerged due to the construction of the Soyang River Dam nearby. Of the seven larvae, five were transferred to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. The remaining two were moved to the Gwacheon National Science Museum and bred through mating. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage stated, "Longhorn beetles usually lay about sixty eggs, but so far only thirty-one have been confirmed," adding, "The hatching success rate in the laboratory is considered to be over 80%." They also said, "In natural conditions, it takes about five years for the eggs to develop into adults, but the growth period is shortened in the laboratory. However, if they mature too quickly, their size becomes smaller."

Designated as a natural monument in 1968, the longhorn beetle belongs to the family Cerambycidae in the order Coleoptera. It inhabits regions including Korea, China, Russia, and Japan. It lives in forests with old and large trees and mainly appears from June to September.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.