Entomo-Conservation · Chocamán, Veracruz
Preserving the Biodiversity of
Tlachinoltepetl NPA
The first systematic molecular inventory of moths and beetles in a cloud forest Natural Protected Area — in collaboration with Universidad Veracruzana.
The place
1,800 hectares of cloud forest — barely documented
Tlachinoltepetl is a Natural Protected Area in Chocamán, Veracruz — one of the smallest and least studied protected areas in the region. Small does not mean insignificant. What lives here has barely been documented.
Micratena is leading the first systematic insect inventory of Tlachinoltepetl, focused on moths and beetles — two of the most biodiverse and ecologically critical insect orders in cloud forest ecosystems. Each specimen collected in the field will be brought to the laboratory of Dr. Beatriz at the Facultad de Biología, Universidad Veracruzana, where molecular analysis will allow us to identify species with taxonomic and genetic precision.
Formal collaboration with Universidad Veracruzana · Facultad de Biología — signed partnership agreement. Read the UV press release →
Where we are today — We are currently completing the requirements to obtain a collection permit from SEMARNAT — mandatory for sampling inside a Natural Protected Area. Once approved, field sampling begins inside Tlachinoltepetl. This process already produced one landmark result: working with local naturalist Ignacio, who has documented insects in Chocamán since 2018, we systematized over 240 research-grade iNaturalist records.
A landmark discovery
Two species endangered in the USA — documented in Chocamán
Cross-referencing 240+ iNaturalist records against international conservation databases revealed something remarkable — two species listed as endangered in the United States, both documented right here.
Cocytius antaeus
Endangered in USA
Giant sphinx moth. One of the largest moths in the Americas. Documented in Chocamán by local naturalist Ignacio. Now part of the Chocamán Insect Field Guide.
Syssphinx raspa
Endangered in USA
Sphinx moth native to Mexico and Central America. Documented in Chocamán. Now part of the Chocamán Insect Field Guide — the first printed insect guide for this region.
Our approach
Field work + molecular science + community
01 · Field sampling
Systematic surveys inside Tlachinoltepetl
Micratena conducts the field work — collecting specimens of moths and beetles inside the NPA using standardized scientific techniques.
02 · Molecular identification
DNA sequencing at Universidad Veracruzana
Dr. Beatriz runs molecular analysis at the Facultad de Biología lab — identifying each species with taxonomic and genetic precision.
03 · Community science
Local naturalists as co-researchers
Ignacio has documented insects in Chocamán since 2018 — his iNaturalist records form the foundation of Micratena's database.
04 · Field guide
Chocamán Insect Field Guide
The first printed insect guide for this cloud forest region — documenting 240+ species for tourists, students, and local communities.
Timeline
From permit to molecular record
2025 · Active
SEMARNAT permit & partnership formalization
Completing requirements for the collection permit. Signed collaboration agreement with Universidad Veracruzana · Facultad de Biología formalized.
2026-2027
Field sampling — Phase 1: Moths & Beetles
Once permit approved, systematic field surveys begin inside Tlachinoltepetl. Specimens sent to UV lab for DNA sequencing and molecular identification.
2028–2030
Expanding to other insect orders
Subsequent phases will cover additional orders — building the most complete insect record ever produced for Tlachinoltepetl and the Chocamán cloud forest.
Support this project
Your donation funds Micratena's insect conservation research in Tlachinoltepetl — helping document species before they disappear from a region that barely knows they exist.
Donate to Entomo-Conservation
