¡@Insects

 Taiwan is rich in insect life, with the number of insect species estimated at somewhere between 45,000 and 200,000, of which around 17,600 have been recorded and named. Insect species are of great value to mankind in many ways, whether economically, ecologically, in education, literature, art or recreation, and countries around the world are actively pursuing insect research and conservation work.

Over recent years. changes in habitat and commerical trapping have caused a steady decline in the number of Taiwan's insect species and in their populations (especially butterflies ). Many of the island's famous butterfly areas have now disappeared. Since the Wildlife Conservation Law was enacted, the Council of Agriculture has listed 18 insect species as legally protected species, including the butterfly. Troides magellanus, the scarabaeid beetle Cheirotonus macleayi formosanus and the cicada Formotosena seebohni. As well as surveying Taiwan's insect species, TESRI's future research will center on investigating the biology of endemic species such as Troides magellanus and on developing methods for their rehabilitation.