The world of taxonomy, a field dedicated to the classification and naming of living organisms, is facing an unprecedented crisis. As the aging taxonomic community grapples with a lack of replacement, the future of this essential science hangs in the balance. But here's where it gets controversial: the invention of DNA barcoding, while revolutionary, has also contributed to the decline of traditional taxonomy. While DNA barcoding offers a rapid and efficient way to identify species, it falls short in documenting the intricate details of species' behavior, habitat preferences, and interactions. This has led to a growing concern among taxonomists that their expertise is becoming obsolete. The story of biting midges, a group of flies that Art Borkent has dedicated his life to studying, highlights the urgency of this issue. With tens of thousands of midges yet to be discovered, the risk of these insects becoming an 'orphan group' is very real. But what does this mean for the future of taxonomy, and our understanding of the natural world? And this is the part most people miss: the decline of taxonomy has far-reaching implications for fields like nature restoration and the illegal wildlife trade. As the world grapples with the biodiversity crisis, the importance of taxonomy cannot be overstated. The question remains: will the passion for taxonomy be allowed to die out, or will it find a way to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of scientific discovery?
