New species of insect discovered in Minas Gerais

A new species of insect has been discovered in Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais. Named Guaranyperla puri, the new species belongs to the Gripopterygidae family and was named in honor of the Puri indigenous people, traditional inhabitants of the region where it was found.

The identification is the result of morphological analyses of specimens collected in the park, highlighting the color patterns, wing structure, and also the adult's terminalia (reproductive system), which differentiates it from other known species. The adult Guaranyperla puri measures about 12 millimeters, while the nymph (the immature stage) is approximately 8 millimeters long.

This insect has a unique life cycle: in its immature phase, the nymph lives underwater, undergoing transformations until molting, when it develops wings and a reproductive system and migrates to the terrestrial environment, entering its adult phase. This type of metamorphosis highlights the complexity of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems present in the Serra do Brigadeiro.

The scientific description of the species followed the criteria of international zoological nomenclature, consolidating the discovery as an important contribution to the knowledge of Brazilian fauna.

Conservation strategies

For Marília Melo, Minas Gerais State Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, the discovery of the new species reinforces the role of conservation units. Luís Henrique de Mattos Lopes, manager of Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, also emphasized that the discovery of new species in protected areas is essential for understanding ecosystems and their interactions. 

"This can directly influence conservation strategies, prioritizing threatened habitats, as well as paving the way for innovations in science, agriculture, and medicine," he said. 

About the research

A Guaranyperla puri was identified in doctoral studies conducted by the researcher Mellis Layra Soares Rippel (pictured above), in the Graduate Program in Entomology at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), with research conducted by the institution's Entomology Museum Laboratory. Mellis is one of the authors of the scientific article on the species and recalls the moment of discovery with enthusiasm. 

"When we analyzed the specimens, both from a morphological and molecular perspective, we realized we were dealing with a new species. This indicates that the park still maintains a high degree of environmental preservation and reinforces its scientific importance," concluded the researcher.