Danny Leong | The Chosen One

Leong Chi Man Danny (left)— Chairman of Macao Entomological Society, Doctoral Student, School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong Elisha (Right)—Danny’s laboratory student assistant

“It’s insects that chose me!” Danny, the “Antman of Macau” asserts. In 2017, Danny found and named Leptanilla macauensis, becoming the first insect researcher to find a new animal species in Macau. Because of his discovery, he received Macau government’s subsidies to study his PhD in Hong Kong. Yet he didn’t bury himself in academic research. Aside from researching ants in the laboratory, he is also incredibly involved in public education, bent on turning Entomology to information digestible for the average citizen.

Danny: At first I wanted to study Veterinary Science, but ended up choosing Entomology as I didn’t have the grades to be a vet—so you can say the insects chose me! The first time I viewed the bark beetle under the microscope, I was exposed to a whole new world! This kind of insect can dig tunnels in trees, creating patterns on the bark… the patterns are so pretty they seem like art. When I was in my second year in University. I noticed Macau has very little records and field guides about ants, so I started taking my own pictures and making field guides. Researching insects made me ponder my life anew. Like an ecosystem requires diversity, my finding ants as an area for research can be seen as expanding the spectrum that is entomology. I later studied my Master’s in Entomology in Taiwan, then receiving subsidies from the Macau government to come to Hong Kong and learn under the wonderful Benoit*. I feel almost as if I were a butterfly emerging from its pupa.

Currently, my research focuses on the fringes of country parks. Through studying places like Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore, I investigate with an entomological angle the effect that different city structures have on species. For example, we would observe that ants from the city are smaller, while forest ants have spikes and shells, looking more ‘intimidating’. Also, we notice that city ants’ species are more monotonous, finding only 5-6 species every time we conduct our research. On the other hand, there can be 8-10 species in the forest areas. Turns out many larger ants cannot adapt to the city life, so developing the edges of country parks would actually lead to the disappearance of many species.

There are many peculiar insects in the world, not only do they look funny, they contribute a lot to the environment. For example, they help with transporting fruits and seeds that fall, thus facilitating the sowing of seeds. Yet for many people, their impression of insects are cockroaches and pests. I really want to turn that concept around. I would encourage students to share pictures of insects with their family, making collages and sharing them on Facebook—practising using interesting and lively ways to describe the creatures under the microscope. I hope they can all play a part in educating the public!

*Dr Benoit GUÉNARD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong

Bark Beetle, usually resides and reproduce in trees that are sick, withered or dead. Creating small tunnels when moving under the bark, forming infinite different patterns (Photo Credit: Diana Powell)

Different insects can be found in the samples Danny collected, ants forming a large group. Categorising insects require a lot of manpower, therefore Danny recruited undergrad Elisha’s help, teaching her skills for identifying species; encouraging her to share with friends and family what she learnt in the lab.

Other unusual species are among the samples. Elisha is responsible for identifying them, taking pictures through the microscope and putting them in different containers.

Danny was granted approval to carry out his research in urban parks, setting up baits (sausages) on several tree trunks to attract insects

When studying in Taiwan, Danny carried out research in both Macau and Taiwan.