Our sampling has been very exciting. It would appear from the scientific literature that almost no records exist about insect biodiversity in the Ethiopian church forests. So almost everything is new. We have beetles from the canopy and ants from the tree bark, and amazing micro-arthropods from tiny bits of soil up in the tree crotches.
One of the most wonderful aspects of this National Geographic-funded expedition is the enthusiasm of the local children. They have laughed and learned the names of common insects, as we work with them to empower them about their own conservation. Here are images of the children learning how to sweep the vegetation for insects, and a general sense of curiosity that appears to never have entered their world.