DTU and Dalat University are to officially co-organize the special exhibition “Colorful Diversity of Vietnamese Insects” at the Danang Museum, scheduled to take place from June 20 to July 13, 2025.
This is the first time an exhibition on the richness and diversity of Vietnamese insects to be organized by two prestigious universities. It offers a valuable opportunity for the public to explore the world of the insects that can be found in Vietnam. Coinciding with the 2025 Danang International Fireworks Festival, the exhibition “Colorful Diversity of Vietnamese Insects” aims to introduce international visitors to the beauty of Vietnam’s biodiversity while promoting environmental awareness and species conservation.
Visitors will have the chance to view many rare and valuable collections of Vietnamese insects
The exhibition “Colorful Diversity of Vietnamese Insects” draws upon the entomological research strengths of both DTU and Dalat University. Both universities boast strong entomology research teams and possess unique and diverse insect collections. Dedicated scientists from both universities have traversed Vietnam’s forests to study the behaviors, characteristics, and morphology of Vietnamese insect species in depth. As a result, the entomological research groups of both DTU and DLU have collected and preserved many rare and unique insects that are found only in the dense forests and high mountains of Vietnam.
Insects are an important group of invertebrates, vital not only to nature but also to human life. Not everyone appreciates their importance, however, and many people have misconceptions about insects and perceive them as harmful or scary. Insects actually play essential roles in the earth’s ecosystems. Not all insects are harmful, and many are of significant benefit to agriculture, medicine, and the environment.
The exhibition “Colorful Diversity of Vietnamese Insects” provides a most engaging and hands-on opportunity to learn more about insects. There will be over 150 images and posters about insects:
- information on their ecological roles, such as pollination, decomposition, and pest control;
- daily-life applications of insects in medicine, food, art, and biotechnology;
- messages related to climate change, pollution, and other factors impacting insect populations;
- spreading and raising awareness about nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
Students enjoy learning about insects at Dalat University
More than a hundred boxes of specimens of insects from Vietnam will be showcased at the exhibition. Among these will be rare forest species presented by DTU and Dalat University:
- butterflies and moths,
- beetles,
- cicadas,
- mdragonflies,
Specifically:
- A diverse collection of over two hundred species of butterflies and moths of various sizes, shapes, and colors. Rare specimens include the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis), the giant-sized Atlas moth, and the Japanese emperor.
- Rare forest dragonflies such as Coeliccia duytan, currently only found in Chu Mom Ray National Park (Kon Tum); Coeliccia lecongcoi, an endemic species only recorded in the Ngoc Linh mountains, (Kon Tum) and Kon Ka Kinh National Park (Gia Lai). In addition, there will be many dragonfly species of high conservation value like Chlorogomphus nakamurai, C. aritai, and C. papilio.
- A collection of giant beetles, including species like the Caucasus beetle (Chalcosoma caucasus), the five-horned rhinoceros beetle (Eupatorus gracilicornis), and Cheirotonus jansoni. These rare beetle species live only in high mountain forests and are indicators of intact primary forest ecosystems.
- Additional insects of note: stick insects, praying mantises, grasshoppers, and Pyrops candelaria - showcasing a broad variety of types and species.
DTU and Dalat University scientists are passionate about their insect research across forests in Vietnam
To further deepen public understanding of the beauty and the importance of insect life in Vietnam, DTU and Dalat University will also hold a scientific panel discussion during the exhibition, featuring:
- Dr Phan Quoc Toan: on forest insects and DTU’s insect collections,
- Dr Tosaphol Saetung Keetapichayakul: on DTU’s aquatic insect collections,
- Dr Kim Junggon: on pests like ticks, white-grubs, and stink bugs at DTU,
- Dr Lee Hyun Suk: on agricultural insects and Dalat University’s insect collections.
“Insects play a vital role in sustaining life,” Ms Ho Thi Hang, Insect Collection Manager at Dalat University, says. “Humans have been using insects for many purposes for a long time: bees for honey, silkworms, shellac from lac bugs for dyeing, caterpillar fungus for medicinal uses, and fruit flies as test subjects. However, many wild insect species remain unknown to us, along with their roles, functions, and potential applications to our lives. For example, researchers recently discovered a caterpillar species that can eat plastic and excrete biodegradable organics, raising hope for future biotechnological solutions to plastic waste. This shows how insect research is practically very meaningful, not only in biology and ecosystems but also in many other fields such as agriculture, silviculture, medicine, conservation, and food technology.”
(Media Center)