Longinos Navás facts for kids

Longinos Navás (born March 7, 1858, in Cabacés, Tarragona – died December 31, 1938, in Girona) was an important Spanish scientist. He was an entomologist, which means he studied insects. Navás was especially interested in two groups of insects: Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Neuropteroidea (like lacewings and antlions).

Navás was also a Jesuit priest. Many Jesuit priests were also scholars and scientists, contributing to different fields of knowledge. His work helped us understand more about the insect world, especially in Spain.

Who Was Longinos Navás?

Longinos Navás was born in a small town in Spain in 1858. He grew up to become a dedicated scientist and a priest. His life showed that science and faith could go hand-in-hand. He spent many years studying and describing insects, which was his great passion.

Early Life and Education

Navás's early life led him to join the Jesuit order. This path often included a strong focus on education and learning. This background helped him develop the skills needed for scientific research. He became very good at observing and classifying different types of insects.

A Priest and a Scientist

Being a Jesuit priest meant Navás had access to resources and time for his studies. He was able to travel and collect insects from many different places. His religious life did not stop his scientific work; instead, it often supported it. He saw the study of nature as a way to understand the world better.

Navás's Scientific Work

Longinos Navás was a very productive scientist. He wrote many scientific papers about the insects he studied. His work focused on identifying and describing new species of insects. This helped to build a clearer picture of the insect life in Spain and other parts of the world.

Focus on Stoneflies and Neuropteroidea

Navás specialized in two main groups of insects:

• Plecoptera: These are commonly known as stoneflies. They are insects that usually live near fresh water, like rivers and streams. Their young (nymphs) live in the water, and the adults live on land.
• Neuropteroidea: This is a larger group that includes insects like lacewings, antlions, and owlflies. These insects often have delicate, net-like wings. Many of them are helpful because they eat other insects that can be pests.

Important Publications

Navás published most of his findings in scientific journals. A major part of his work appeared in the Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona. He also published in other Spanish, German, Italian, and American entomological journals. His detailed descriptions and drawings helped other scientists learn about these insects.

Describing New Species

One of Navás's biggest contributions was describing many new species of insects. When a scientist describes a new species, it means they are the first to formally identify and name an animal or plant that was previously unknown to science. This is a crucial step in understanding Earth's biodiversity. His work added greatly to the list of known insects.

Navás's Collections and Legacy

After his death, Longinos Navás's extensive insect collections were preserved. These collections are very valuable for scientists today. They allow researchers to study the insects he identified and compare them with new discoveries.

Where to Find His Collections

• His collection of Neuroptera (a type of Neuropteroidea) is kept at the Museu de Ciències Naturals (Museum of Natural Sciences) in Barcelona.
• His Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) collections are housed at the University of Zaragoza's Paleontological Museum in Zaragoza.

Lasting Impact

Longinos Navás's work continues to be important for entomologists today. His detailed studies provided a foundation for understanding the insect fauna of Spain. He helped to map out the incredible variety of insects living in different parts of the world. His legacy is a testament to his dedication to science and his passion for the natural world.