Scientists discover new species in Sichuan caves  

成都首现洞穴沟虾、尺蛾等新物种 以蝙蝠粪便为食

Chengdu (ECNS)— Scientists at an insect museum have discovered new invertebrate creatures in the remote caves of Sichuan province.

Chengdu Huaxi Entomic Museum has been exploring caves in the Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve and primitive ones in Pengzhou since mid-June and found a new species of cave-dwelling shrimp and cave-dwelling geometer moth.

The new cave shrimp, only one centimeter long, is almost transparent and feeds on bat excrement. With no fan-shaped tail, no long feelers, and no eyes, it looks like an alien creature from science fiction movies. They can live only in the caves and will die within an hour if they are put under the sun.

The new cave geometer moths don't fly and only rest on the cave walls, which helps them escape attacks by their natural enemy, bats.