From the South Pole to the North Pole, from grasslands to deserts, there are traces of insects everywhere... "During the 32nd China Yangling Agricultural High tech Achievements Expo, in the Insect Museum of Northwest A&F University Expo Park, the audience was deeply attracted by the explanation given by the presenter Li Shanshan. She takes everyone back to the Devonian period over 300 million years ago - the starting point of insect stories, more than 100 million years before the emergence of dinosaurs. In this museum, which resembles a beetle in appearance and has a total area of over 3600 square meters, insect specimens from around the world are displayed in an orderly manner, including many rare species and national first-class protected animals. The Insect Museum was founded in 1986 and is the first public insect museum in China. It is also currently the largest independent exhibition area, richest exhibits, and most professional insect themed museum in the world. ”Zhang Yalin, the director of the Insect Museum at the Expo Park of Northwest A&F University and a professor at the School of Plant Protection, introduced that it is not only an important platform for specimen collection and scientific research, but also a window for popular science education and promotion of patriotism. The insect museum adopts modern display methods, integrating knowledge and fun. The 3300 square meter butterfly garden outside the museum allows visitors to observe the wonderful moments of butterfly metamorphosis up close. I realized for the first time that there are so many types of insects. In the future, I want to become an entomologist and explore the mysteries of biology! "Said Cao Haoxuan, a student at Xi'an Changqing No. 8 Middle School, during a visit. In the World Famous Butterfly Exhibition Area, there are Brazil's Blue Sparkling Butterfly, Colombia's Cyprus Sparkling Butterfly, Peru's Night Pearl Butterfly... Among them, the national first-class protected animal, the Golden Spotted Beaked Butterfly, is particularly eye-catching, with golden and green intertwined in the wing exhibition, showcasing the charm of the "national butterfly". The birth of this museum is closely related to the efforts of Zhou Yao, a leading figure in the Chinese entomology community and the founder of the entomology discipline. Zhou Yao was born in 1912 in Yin County, Zhejiang Province. He had a love for insects since childhood and went to Italy in 1936 to pursue a doctoral degree under the world-renowned entomologist Sylvester Li. In July 1937, the Lugou Bridge Incident broke out, and he resolutely gave up his studies and returned to China to join the Anti Japanese War. At the end of 1939, he came to Northwest Agricultural College with the ideal of saving the country through science. Since then, he has been rooted in the northwest for 70 years, published more than 200 papers (volumes), and collected footprints throughout the country. His edited book "Chinese Butterfly Chronicles" filled the gap in butterfly taxonomy in China. The more than 60000 specimens brought by Professor Zhou Yao laid the foundation for the collection of the Insect Museum. The current insect museum has a collection of over 2 million specimens, once ranking first among domestic universities, and is a major component of the national animal specimen resource bank. ”Zhang Yalin said, "The 'Zhou Yao Insect Taxonomy Award Fund' he established has played an important role in motivating future students. Professor Zhou Yao has interpreted the profound meaning of patriotism, dedication, cherishing time, and enjoying the group throughout his life. This is our spiritual wealth, inspiring generation after generation of entomologists to keep moving forward. ”Huang Mingxue, Secretary of the Party Committee of the College of Plant Protection at Northwest A&F University. The spark of that spirit has turned into a brilliant light, still shining brightly on campus to this day. The play "The Longevity of Carving Insects" created based on the deeds of Zhou Yao has been staged in many parts of the country and will be selected as the "backbone of the Republic - Science Master Propaganda Project" in 2024. Chen Jiagang, an undergraduate student from the School of Agriculture at Northwest A&F University who played Zhou Yao in the drama, admitted that initially he couldn't fully understand the weight of those lines. "It wasn't until I walked into the Insect Museum that I truly understood Mr. Zhou Yao," he said. Standing in front of the exhibition hall of Zhou Yao's life, Chen Jiagang's tone was firm: 'Heaven and earth give birth to people, and one person should have their own profession; in life, every day of life should have one day of diligence.' This is not just a dialogue, but also a vow written by Professor Zhou Yao throughout his life. In the future, I will actively engage in seed science research, strive to write papers on the earth, and contribute to ensuring national food security. From the evolution of insects over 300 million years to the spiritual journey of a generation of scholars, this museum carries not only the spark of science, but also the value call of serving the country with diligence and responding to the times with life. It is a call about life, science, and our country. Deep dialogue. (New Society)