Endangered Callipogon relictus larva hatched through artificial breeding

The Callipogon relictus, right, an endangered species of longhorn beetle, was given another chance to escape extinction as two beetles from different habitats produced viable larvae. Designated as Natural Monument No. 218, it is a rare species of longhorn beetle found in Korea, China, Russia and Japan and is one of the largest species of beetle. Courtesy of NRICH

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Callipogon relictus, an endangered species of longhorn beetle, has been given another chance to escape extinction, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced Monday. Two beetles from different habitats were able to produce viable larvae for the very first time, improving genetic diversity of the species.

The Natural Heritage division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH), an affiliate of the CHA, said it succeeded in producing the first filial generation in 46 years of the rare beetle from Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on April 3, after discovering and preserving five larvae there in August 2019.

Callipogon relictus, designated as Natural Monument No. 218, is a rare species of longhorn beetle found in Korea, China, Russia and Japan and one of the largest kinds of beetles. Before the larval discovery in Chuncheon last August, the endangered insect's only known remaining habitat in Korea was Gwangneung Forest in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Chuncheon was designated as Natural Monument No. 75, Chuncheon Callipogon relictus Origin Site, back in 1962, but it lost the status in 1973 as the habitat was submerged due to the construction of the Soyang River Multipurpose Dam. The five larvae were discovered near the former site last year and the NRICH preserved them.

Of the five larvae, one female developed into an imago and the NRICH mated her with a male Callipogon relictus from Gwangneung Forest in cooperation with the Korea National Arboretum.

The NRICH said the rediscovery of the beetle in Chuncheon after 46 years as well as the success in breeding a filial generation of the species will contribute to the genetic diversity of Callipogon relictus in Korea.

"With the successful hatching, NRICH will be able to secure a foundation for which they can continue their research to preserve the Callipogon relictus and through artificial breeding and propagation, they plan to restore its habitat. In addition, it will operate exhibitions and education programs using breeding subjects in addition to the research to enhance the public's understanding of the cultural value of the Natural Monument Callipogon relictus," the CHA said in a statement.