National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Administration, hereinafter “NRICH” (President Ji Byongmok) reported that  the larva of the natural monument No. 218 Callipogon relictus, which was discovered in 46 years in Chuncheon, has grown into an Imago and succeeded in hatching the first filial generation through the breeding process.

The larva of the parent Callipogon relictus that successfully hatched were the larva from the five parent generation found in Chuncheon last year and were preserved by the NRICH. One of these females became the first adult, and the lab, in cooperation with Korea National Arboretum, succeeded in mating her with the males that were the offspring of Callipogon relictus found in Gwangneung Forest in 2017, and finally succeeded in hatching the first filial generation offspring less than one centimeter in size on last 3rd. 

With the successful hatching, NRICH will be able to secure a foundation for which they can continue their research to preserve Callipogon relictus and through artificial breeding and propagation, they plan to restore their habitat. In addition, it will operate exhibitions and educational programs using breeding subjects in addition to the research to enhance the public’s understanding of the cultural value of the natural monument Callipogon relictus. In order for this to happen, additional propagation facility for the natural monument Callipogon relictus is necessary for stable growth and preservation management.

The location where parent generation Callipogon relictus was found is an adjacent site to the place that was designated as natural monument No.75 「Chuncheon Callipogon relictus Origin Site」 in 1962, then had its status revoked in 1973 due to the loss of its conservation value as the habitat collapsed due to the construction of the Soyang River Multipurpose Dam.

The successful hatching is very meaningful in that the first filial generation was obtained directly through Callipogon relictus discovered 46 years after the designation revocation, that Callipogon relictus appeared in a place other than the Gwangneung Forest known as its only habitat and that this provides an opportunity to increase the genetic diversity of Callipogon relictus living in the limited Gwangneung Forest.

National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Natural Heritage Division

Kang Jung Hoon chief curator

Lee Sung Kyung curator