Tiny world, big wonders: Beetle exhibition opens at Guangdong Museum

A crowd of visitors explores the insect specimens on display. (Photo: Li Fangwang)

Developed by the Guangdong Museum in collaboration with leading research institutes and universities, the exhibition incorporates first-hand research materials, including high-resolution photographs and field notes from recent surveys. It also presents, for the first time, beetle species newly documented in Guangdong between 2021 and 2025, highlighting the province's latest achievements in biodiversity conservation.

Some of the insect specimens on display (Photo: Li Fangwang)

Some of the insect specimens on display (Photo: Guangdong Museum)

Divided into four sections, the exhibition guides visitors from insect anatomy and classification to the diversity of beetles. It then explores the role of insects in Chinese culture before concluding with insect-inspired artworks created by enthusiasts. According to curator Xiao Hang, the exhibition aims to encourage visitors to look beyond the labels of "beneficial" and "harmful" insects and appreciate them as living creatures that play their own roles in nature.

Interactive experiences, including a three-screen "Forest of Fireflies" installation and a display exploring the surprising scents of certain caterpillar droppings, ranging from floral notes to citrus-like aromas, add a playful touch to the journey.

Live insects, lifelike habitat recreations and "Ants' World," a VR experience that lets visitors see nature from an ant's perspective, further bring the insect world to life. Child-friendly exhibits also make the exhibition accessible and engaging for younger visitors.