Plot twist: We're probably way undercounting insects on Earth
A new study based on a census of parasitoid wasps suggests there are millions more insect species on Earth than previously thought, waiting to be discovered.
Maybe you've wondered about it late at night as a mosquito buzzes in your ear. Or when you kick over a rock and watch dozens of little critters crawl away: How many types of insects are there in the world? Scientists have been interested in answering this question for years. A new study — based on a census of tiny and, frankly terrifying, parasitoid wasps — suggests there's way more than previously thought. Like, millions more that are just waiting to be discovered.
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This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Jordan-Marie Smith. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Annlie Huang and Tiffany Vera-Castro were the audio engineers.