This beautiful Automeris silk moth is closely related to the io moth of the US. Its most interesting feature is that while it blends amazingly well with the tree bark when at rest, if it feels endangered it flips its forewings up to reveal huge, startling eyespots on the hindwings.
Your first sighting of one of these giant damselflies might leave you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. For it is huge. When it takes wing against a dark forest background, all you might see are the wing spots, which gyrate in a circular pattern like helicopter blades
In sandy areas look for conical depressions roughly 2” across. If an ant slides into one of the depressions, the antlion flicks sand at it, causing it to slide further down until the antlion can grab it with its huge hollow jaws, puncture it’s body, and inject it with a paralyzing venom.
The benefit of the wax coating on the flatid is that the honeydew it poops doesn’t stick to it, which keeps the planthopper from turning into a moldy mop. Also, if a predator sees it moving and tries to grab it, it will get a mouthful of waxy fluff, which discourages further snacking.
A Leaf Katydid imitates a leaf scudding across my veranda very convincingly, with bright green coloration, detailed leaf veins, and the brown scar of insect damage
The loudest and most beautiful cicada in the Belizean rain forests is the Emerald Cicada. There are numerous Zammara species, many of which look pretty similar, but the one that lives here is turquoise with glowing red eyes, which make it a real stand-out.
You may have noticed elongated papery globes hanging from tree branches or palm leaves in the forest at BIB. Usually a pale tan or gray, these are nests built by tiny Polybia wasps over the course of several months.
The most dominant feature of the Owl Butterfly is the large, very owlish eye marking on the undersides of its wings. But even if you only see one side, it’s easy to think SOMETHING is staring at you.
There are many species of leafcutter ants in the tropics, and they are a very important part of the forest ecosystem. They have no sting, but can bite if seriously annoyed. However, they don’t go looking for trouble so you can watch them close up without danger. They are fascinating!
A fully grown Giant Red-winged Grasshopper is an awesome sight, especially on the wing. You might think you’ve seen a small red bird flying past, except for those long, trailing grasshopper legs.
It has seriously powerful legs lined with sharp spines, even in the nymphal stage.