Daniel H. Burckhardt at 70-an appreciation

PD Dr Daniel H. Burckhardt (Figs 1-4) turned 70 on 26 July 2023.His extensive body of work on the taxonomy of insects, initiated even before his doctoral thesis on Western Palaearctic Aphalaridae in 1983, has since expanded to encompass all major psyllid groups (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea), both extant and extinct, but also moss bugs (Hemiptera: Coleorrhyncha) and several families of beetles (Coleoptera, mainly Passandridae, but also Jacobsoniidae, Pterogeniidae and Staphylinidae). These contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on our global understanding of these relatively small and often overlooked groups of insects.The biographical details of Daniel Burckhardt's career and life will not be revisited here, as they have already been thoroughly documented elsewhere. In terms of his tireless dedication and remarkable productivity, the comprehensive list of his publications at the end of this article speaks for itself.Another telling measure of his influence within entomology is the number of PhD students he has mentored, formally or informally, many of whom have gone on to establish successful careers in leading research institutions and natural history museums across Europe and beyond. At a time when taxonomic expertise is rapidly declining, with serious implications for biodiversity research, agriculture and conservation, his intellectual legacy, marked by rigour, precision, and clarity, has been effectively passed on to the next generation.This tribute aims above all to highlight the personal and professional impact Daniel Burckhardt has had on so many colleagues and collaborators. Rather than a conventional biography, it offers a space for those who have worked with him to share their experiences and anecdotes, and to reflect on the influence he has had on their scientific journeys.