Hobby entomologists: Working meeting of interested coleopterologists at the Zoologische Staatssammlung Munich

On vacation, there drowned Michael von Bressensdorf for his hobby down once without on a dune beetles behind. Because he could not grasp her with his bare hands, he worked the net in his swimsuit unceremoniously to the net. "Luckily, only my wife has seen that," says the 55-year-old at the Käfer Stammtisch - or as it is officially called: working meeting of interested coleopterologists at the Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM).

That they are not professionals emphasize the participants, they meet every four weeks. At tables with microscopes and in front of rows of shelves full of boxes of prepared beetles, they talk shop about the nature of the green specimen in front of them, create databases about finds on the computer and exchange specialized literature.

What stands out: all men, almost all with gray hair. Although there is one among the 15 participants, who is only 24 years old. But: "Basically we are gray men," says Hans Mühle, 72 and expert on cockchafer.

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The lack of young talent among species, so-called taxonomists, has been known for some time - also on a professional level. The Association of Biology, Life Sciences and Biomedicine in Germany, for example, speaks of a crisis of taxonomy: "The demands on a taxonomist who meets the modern requirements, are high, but the training opportunities at universities leave mostly to be desired," it says on the homepage.

"The majority of biologists currently trained no longer have up-grade enough species knowledge." However, exact determination is also economically important - for example in an invasive species that is not native to Germany: the earlier it can be detected and then combated, the more cost-effective the measures are.

Steffen Pauls from the Senckenberg Research Institute Frankfurt also says that the determination of species in universities has become less important during their studies. And money in research is spent rather for other. Many species are still unknown - especially in soil organisms. For individual groups, there are only a handful of experts worldwide.

The background is also the demographic development: "Since our great expertise dies away," says Pauls. But he also sees a possible trend reversal: "Until a few years ago we still had to explain in museums what biodiversity is." That is different today. At least the Krefeld study on insect killing has sensitized politics and the public for the issue.

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According to an application by the Bundestag factions of the Union and SPD in 2017, taxonomy is more than just the basis of species protection. "It is the basic science for a wide range of life sciences, from biodiversity research to drug discovery and infection medicine."

After all, the Federal Ministry of Research wants to counteract the trend. It said recently that it wants to boost research on biodiversity. In this way, effects on ecosystems could be estimated and the state and changes of biodiversity recorded. It is precisely here that the taxonomy will be able to provide essential insights, it is believed.

It is mainly the amateurs who contribute their expertise. "No state pays you for collecting beetles all day," says von Bressensdorf of the Munich Käfer Stammtisch. His colleague Mühle drives for his passion to the 40,000 kilometers. In many countries, the former forest ranger was already on the way. Gladden beetles from all over the world are sent to him to determine.

But the hurdles for beginners are high, Mühle says: "Since the eighties, we need a permit that we may collect." Depending on the protection status of the area, other authorities are responsible. "But if you have not made a name, you often do not get an answer." This also applies to imports and exports of beetles.

Spiny Beetle Expert Herbert Fuchs says another problem is the lost relation to nature. This is no longer an issue in the schools. Especially in the city, people were rather disgusted by beetles, especially adults. "We have to shy away from people."

In addition, there are the costs: insect cabinets, identification books, a good microscope - there are quickly some thousands of euros together. "For the beetles are free," says von Bressensdorf. When the trained ITl speaks about collecting beetles, he enthuses: "It's fascinating that you have something to do with nature."

When looking through a microscope you suddenly see hair on the beetle's forehead. "You look in there and you're in another world." He now has 6000 beetles at home. Initially, he needed ten minutes apiece to prepare. Meanwhile, he manages 20 per hour. His goal: "That someday you will be an expert and others will ask you one."