Unseen bugs in NYC: Can scientists find new species in the city?

New York City is packed with people, buildings, and noise. But beneath that concrete jungle, tiny creatures are hiding in plain sight. Scientists think the city might be home to hundreds or even thousands of unknown insect species. Not giant animals like pigeons or squirrels—but small flies, wasps, and other bugs most people never notice. Around the world, scientists estimate that 90% of insect species haven’t been discovered yet. Take gall midges, a type of fly. Experts guess there could be 1. 8 million species in this single family—but only 7, 000 have been officially named. NYC isn’t a bug paradise, but its parks provide the perfect spots for hidden species to thrive.This summer, a team is setting traps in Central Park and Prospect Park to find out. Using a special tent-like device called a Malaise trap, they’ll collect small flying insects without harming the environment. The traps funnel bugs into a container, where they’re preserved for study. Larger creatures like butterflies or dragonflies won’t get caught. Once collected, the insects will head to a lab for DNA testing. Scientists will create genetic "barcodes" for each bug, comparing them to existing records. If a barcode doesn’t match anything known, it could mean a brand-new species. Experts will then examine the specimens closely to confirm. If a species is new, the team will name it and publish their findings. But the real goal isn’t just one discovery—it’s showing how much we still don’t know. Many insects, like bees and butterflies, are disappearing before scientists can even study them. Projects like this help remind us that nature’s mysteries are disappearing fast.