Namibia, a vast and sparsely populated nation in Southwest Africa, stands at a historic crossroads today. Traditionally recognized for its stunning natural beauty, rich wildlife, and an economy primarily driven by diamond and uranium extraction, the country is now emerging as a potentially crucial player in strategic sectors. New opportunities are primarily centered around three pillars: green hydrogen, recent oil and gas discoveries, and the expansion of its port capacity. All of this is intertwined with the looming challenge of desertification, the legacy of colonialism, and a growing innovative ecosystem supported by progressive governance, including significant female representation.

La Namibia, una nazione vasta e scarsamente popolata dell'Africa sud-occidentale, si trova oggi su una soglia storica. Tradizionalmente riconosciuta per la sua impressionante bellezza naturale, la ricca fauna selvatica e un'economia trainata dall'estrazione di diamanti e uranio, il paese sta ora emergendo come un attore potenzialmente cruciale in settori strategici. Le nuove prospettive si concentrano principalmente su tre pilastri: l'idrogeno verde, le recenti scoperte di petrolio e gas e l'espansione della sua capacità portuale, il tutto intrecciato con la sfida incombente della desertificazione, l'eredità del colonialismo e un ecosistema innovativo in crescita, sostenuto da una governance progressista che include una significativa rappresentanza femminile.

A beetle of the species Pygopleurus chrysonotus on an Anemone pavonina flower in Greece. The beetle can do what other insects cannot: see the colour red. (Photo: Johannes Spaethe / University of Würzburg)

Insect eyes are generally sensitive to ultraviolet, blue and green light. With the exception of some butterflies, they cannot see the colour red. Nevertheless, bees and other insects are also attracted to red flowers such as poppies. In this case, however, they are not attracted by the red colour, but because they recognise the UV light reflected by the poppy flower.

However, two beetle species from the eastern Mediterranean region can indeed perceive the colour red, as an international research team was able to show. The beetles are Pygopleurus chrysonotus and Pygopleurus syriacus from the family Glaphyridae. They feed mainly on pollen and prefer to visit plants with red flowers, such as poppies, anemones and buttercups.