"Lord of the Roaches" Young scientist names new species after Tolkien characters and Pokémon

A young scientist from the Philippines has named newly discovered species of water striders after characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world and the Pokémon franchise, sparking both fascination and curiosity among researchers and the public alike. Cristian Lucañas, a 32-year-old entomologist specializing in water striders, has identified several new species on the archipelago, earning him the nickname “Lord of Water Striders” due to his deep expertise in the field. Lucañas, who works at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, has spent much of his career studying these often-misunderstood insects. His work has led to the discovery of multiple new species, some of which he has named after iconic figures from popular culture. One such example is Nocticola gonzalezi, a golden-colored water strider he discovered during a research expedition on the island of Polillo in 2013. This species was named in honor of Professor Juan Carlos T. González, a biologist at the same university, while its common name, “Golden Water Strider”, draws inspiration from a local Filipino legend about Japanese soldiers burying large amounts of stolen gold during World War II. Water striders, despite their small size, play a crucial role in ecosystems. They help break down organic waste, recycle nutrients, serve as prey for birds and reptiles, and some even aid in seed dispersal or pollination. Yet, they remain largely misunderstood and undervalued. Many people view them with disdain, often asking whether they were created by God or seeking advice on how to eliminate them more effectively. This negative perception is partly due to the fact that only a few species of water striders come into frequent contact with humans, typically those that scuttle along kitchen floors or emerge from drains. The majority of water strider species live far removed from human habitation, deep within caves and dense forests. It is here that Lucañas conducts much of his research, spending long hours observing their behavior and searching for previously undocumented species. He emphasizes that the vast majority of water striders are not harmful and should not be feared. Instead, they are essential components of ecological balance, contributing to nutrient cycling and supporting biodiversity. Lucañas' interest in water striders began unexpectedly. Initially, he had planned to study fish, but a professor encouraged him to shift focus to insects. Since then, his passion for entomology has grown, leading to the description of eight additional Philippine water strider species and participation in the classification of six more from other countries. Some of these have been given imaginative names inspired by fictional worlds, reflecting the incredible diversity of the group. In addition to their aesthetic variety, ranging from bright blue and light green to metallic shades, water striders exhibit fascinating behaviors. Some resemble crabs, others can curl into balls, and a few leap like frogs. These traits highlight the complexity and adaptability of the group, which includes termites, which are actually highly social water striders. Despite being widely regarded as pests, termites play a vital role in forest ecosystems by breaking down wood and returning nutrients to the soil. Despite their importance, water striders face threats similar to those of many other invertebrates. Globally, non-vertebrate animals, especially insects, are disappearing at alarming rates, yet conservation efforts continue to prioritize charismatic megafauna over less visible species. In the Philippines, two cave-dwelling water strider species, Nocticola caeca, the blind cave water strider from Antipolo, are listed among the most endangered groups of animals. Their survival depends on continued scientific attention and environmental protection.