Many of the weird and wonderful insect species of the Amazon look like something straight out of the most far-fetched sci-fi movie, and weve compiled a list of our favorite bugs: Yep this is an actual real insect, not a strange photoshop job crossing a moth with a peanut. A sub-species of longhorn beetle, titan beetles can grow up to 7 inches long. Water beetles are frequently consumed by fish. They are found from the southern United States south into South America. Facts About the Moths That Live in the Tundra. Dragonflies eat all types of insects and bugs such as beetle. Because of this, care should be taken to minimize the chance of being bitten while in the rainforest. Camouflage coloring is the first line of defense for beetles living in exposed sandy areas. Bullet ant workers are large ants, reaching lengths of 30 mm (1.2 in.). All Rights Reserved. If you are keen-eyed, you may spot these otherworldly transparent butterflies fluttering through the shadowy rainforest. All other use should request permission. These are used to fight other males. Each individual insect is unique in its leaf-like patterns and designs, and the level of detail is astonishing. Black-Backed Jackal Facts, Pictures, Video & Information. Some of these are default, such as body coloring which allows them to blend in with the environment. These little critters can be found searching for food amongst the leafy canopy in the northern parts of the Amazon, and their adult form is equally furry and cute! The first stage of life for this beetle is larval. The males are often larger and antler like, giving the beetles their distinguishable common name. Its natural wealth, however, goes far beyond the animals that roam the land and river. The weaver ant is a voracious predator, feeding on other invertebrates both in the canopy and on the forest floor. The most distinguishing feature of these beetles is their large antennae, sometimes reaching several body lengths. 
It has a light blue body and a wingspan of around 4 to 6 cm (1.6 2.3 in. Adults usually feed on nectar and they can be very brightly coloured. Due to their large size, rhinoceros beetles have many interesting characteristics. Termites are insects in the infraorder (a group of related animals) Isoptera. Beetles have innate anti-predator adaptations such as camouflage. Research shows spiders have an intimidating effect on insects such as beetles which can even eat less in their presence. Despite the apparent fierceness, these beetles are actually gentle and harmless to humans, making them popular pets in parts of Asia! Scientists think there are several MILLION different species of beetles living in the tropical rainforests. The species is found in rainforests in several Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. Stingless bees produce honey, and some species are farmed for this purpose. Dragonflies regularly eat beetle, moths, and butterflies. These powerful and impressive beetles from the scarab family have huge, intimidating horns that give them their name, and can grow up to 6 inches in size. Regardless of the breadth of beetle variations, the different species consume the same foods to sustain themselves. Both species are found by slow-moving and still waters in Queensland, Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. Female Queen Alexandras birdwings are larger than the males. Michigan State University. However if a predator did manage to catch one, these butterflies are laced with a deadly poison. It is one of several species of clear-winged butterflies. the genus) rather than the species scientific name. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook, Click on the image below to see this weeks animal. Although the species lacks a sting, it can deliver a painful bite. However, studies show beetles can escape from the stomach of toads when releasing this chemical once swallowed. All are known for their large size, distinguishing characteristics and superior strength. (Its completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and well never share your details.). All those insects have to live somewhere, and the rainforest is home to many of them. Darkling beetles also eat other beetles. But raccoons will even eat fruits if they cant find beetle. Cithaerias pireta and other related butterflies in the group Haeterini, such as Pseudohaeterea hypaesiaI live deep in the rainforest vegetation. Males are equipped with a pair of huge, forward-facing horns, resulting in a total body length of up to 175 mm (7 in). This means they will eat anything they find. The Queen Alexandras birdwing is an endangered species. Hedgehogs are known for having a diverse diet. Copyright Gerald R. Urquhart The largest number of beetle species is found in tropical areas. As the material passes through the larvae, it speeds up the natural process of recycling in the rain forest. The queen and the colonys larvae are protected in the middle of the bivouac. The name katydid is onomatopoeic as it describes the kat-y-did sound that they make when rubbing their legs together. Stingless bees, as their name suggests, lack the ability to sting. Costa Rica and the Amazon Basin are the two most heavily populated locations of this beetle, which thrives in warm and humid climates. Unlike some species, the queen is only slightly larger than the workers. Mammals, rodents, and even fish can see beetles as ideal prey or prey part of a regular diet. The largest blue morpho species have wingspans of up to 15 cm (5.9 in.). Empower Her. The ants use the leaves to feed fungus that is grown in a special area of the nest known as a fungus garden. Mating takes place during the rainy season. Mimicry is a common defense mechanism for beetles sharing the same environment with wasps, which they imitate in movements to escape all types of predators. Unlike most other types of ant, army ants dont built permanent nests. Male goliath beetles can be identified by their V-shaped, forward-facing horns. Dont be fooled by the harmless appearance of this little guy the soft yellow fur hides dangerous venomous spines that upon contact with the skin can cause severe pain, nausea, burning, rashes, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. These involve each colony sending out a soldier ant to fight on behalf of the colony. When foraging, army ants form lines which can be 20 meters wide and up to 200 meters in length. Often called Farting beetles, Japanese beetles release a strong chemical from their rears. Rainforests are known for their high levels of biodiversity (the amount of species found in one place). If a male feels threatened by another male when he is trying to find a mate he will pick him up with his horns and throw him to the ground, usually defeating his competition. Youll find ants with extremely painful stings, butterflies with transparent wings, and some of the worlds largest butterflies, beetles and ants. These beetles can even eat their young Darkling beetles as soon as they emerge. ), not just animals! This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They have strong jaws, large searching eyes, strong robust legs and powerful claws. Then, if all else fails, the lanternfly can resort to more direct methods by squirting a foul-smelling liquid into the face of its assailant. For example, there are several butterflies called blue morphos. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING. Elephant beetles can grow up to around 12 cm 4.75 in., with males reaching significantly larger sizes than females. Some of the largest species may grow to over 6 inches, with the average size being about 3 inches. Leafcutter ants live in huge colonies, the largest of which contain around 8 million ants. I like the stingless bee. Almost all of their diet is comprised of ripe fruit. This large rainforest insect lives in colonies of around 7,000 individuals. A rainforest insects list containing species from rainforests all around the world. Moles like to live in soils rich in worms but they will also eat insects given the chance. The comet moth is only found in the rainforests of Madagascar. Thinkjungle.com Copyright 2021. Trigona spinipes is a stingless bee found in Brazil. Some are very attractive with metallic iridescent colours, but the majority are earth coloured camouflaging this large beetle from predators. The class Insecta (i.e. What Are the Stages of Beetle Development? One of the favourites are the tiger beetles with their aggressive appearance and strong biting mandibles. Beetles have a hard exoskeleton. The pain of these spines has been likened to the pain of a broken bone or blunt force trauma, so this is one insect that it is best to admire from afar!
All are in the genus (a group of related animals) Morpho. Its body and horn can be as long as 6.75 inches, and they can weigh up to four ounces. The male beetles clash together in deadly battles over females, lifting and throwing each other to the ground like armored wrestlers. Rainforest beetles are exceptionally diverse containing the largest beetles on Earth, such as the goliath beetle of tropical Africa or the titan beetle of the Amazon Rainforest. Fruits and tree sap are top choices for these beetles, but they also ingest nectar from the various plants in their habitat. Its these types of beetles that are of tan color, often mistaken for pure sand. The other projects from the thorax, underneath the head horn. This coats the assassin bug with ant pheromones, allowing them to get close enough to pounce on the fast live ants. Larvae are then fetched from the nest, and the silk that they emit is used by the workers to stitch together the leaves. Stingless bees produce honey, and some species are farmed for this purpose.. They are proportionally the strongest animal on the planet, and can lift up to 850 times their own bodyweight! At this touch, the caterpillar releases a drop of sugary nectar from its posterior that the ants love to drink! There are around 3,000 recognized termite species, with the largest number being found in Africa. The dancing jewel damselfly is a brightly-colored damselfly found by lakes and rivers in southern and eastern Africa. These inventive insects also hunt bees by covering their forelegs in tree sap and then catching bees out of the air with their sticky claws. A member of the Fulgoridae family, it is unclear exactly why the lanternfly has such a strange, bulbous head. When there is little or no rainfall, termites increase their activity, ensuring the soil remains moist and allowing plants to continue to grow. Orchid bees have coevolved alongside a group of plants known as Coryanthes, or bucket orchids. Oddly, most butterflies actually have clear wings, but they are covered in colorful scales. These cunning cousins of the shield bug have become extremely quick ambush predators and developed unbelievable ways of hunting prey. Trigona spinipes is a stingless bee found in Brazil. These insects have grown to be so clever with their mimicry because they are mainly predated on by clever primates, so only the best disguises survive. These are the largest jewel beetles in South America. These beetles have powerful claws for climbing trees and attractive patterned colouration over their robust casing. The adults of this species actively seek out poisonous flowers containing pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxins and feed on them. If a boy can endure being repeatedly stung by a glove-full of bullet ants, he is considered ready to become a warrior. Despite its impressive size, the titan beetle is unaggressive and feeds on decaying wood. An interesting first date to say the least! There are several different species of blue morpho. Fishes that are known for their appetite regularly eat bugs. The ants patrol back and forth, shielding the caterpillars from predators, and every so often an ant will go and tap a caterpillar on the backside. Weaver ants are known for the ingenious way in which they construct their nests out of leaves. Like many insects and arachnids, the female is much larger and more dangerous than the male and after mating, the female kills and devours the male. They make up the family Culicidae, which itself is part of the order Diptera (the flies). Termites break down the leaf litter and increase the level of moisture contained in the soil. There are over 40 different species of leafcutter ant. Spiders in forests and grasslands eat beetles. If that doesnt work, the lanternfly can spread its wings to reveal two large circular patterns very closely resembling the eyes of a jaguar or ocelot. Most types of bats eat beetles but it has been shown those living in temperate climates particularly favor beetles together with flies, moths, and crickets.
However, most of them catch the insects in flight. It is found in tropical forests but avoids the densest rainforests. This process even sounds similar to a small explosion. Its estimated forest birds eat most beetle and insects such as spiders. Toads end up vomiting almost every time beetles release this chemical inside their digestive system. Like lizards, frogs also consume beetle, grasshoppers, and even spiders. Now it may just look like somebody has dropped their toupe, but this is actually the larva of a flannel moth. They dont see beetle as the most important feeding source, but they consider beetle right after worms and grubs. Their wings are brown with white markings. Birds eat a lot of insects. For example, male beetles are also known for being highly territorial during the mating season. Their diet slowly changes as temperatures start to drop in the fall. Some Reduviid bugs eat beetles. The largest was 18 cm (7 inches) long making these the largest beetles on Earth (photo above). While we cant include every single insect that lives in the rainforest, the list below contains pictures and facts about some of the most interesting and / or most famous rainforest insects. Once it has hatched, the comet moth is unable to feed, and only has from four to eight days to find a mate and reproduce. So anyone unlucky enough to eat one of these butterflies will suffer extreme liver damage or even death. Beetles are typically vegetarian. Wherever this happens, weve included the group name (e.g. These types of snakes are used as pest controllers in some gardens around the world. Apart from eating seeds, fruits, and grasshoppers, these types of mice also eat beetle. When most of us think of animals in the Amazon jungle, we think of the impressive megafauna like giant snakes, parrots, jaguars, monkeys, and poisonous frogs. Despite its relatively large size and bright upper wing coloration, the species is elusive and difficult to see when not in flight. These large, bright blue butterflies are found mainly in South America. Some entomologists think it is to ward off predators by mimicking the head of a lizard or snake. 25 Bugs That Can Jump and Hop (Pictures and Identification), 55 Amazing Blue Butterflies (Pictures And Identification Guide), 33 Types of Brown Spiders In The United States (with Pictures), 47 Common Black and Orange Bugs (Pictures and Identification Guide), 40 Small Brown Bugs In House (Pictures And Identification Guide). This is why garden snakes are introduced to control and eventually eliminate all beetles from a garden. It is also found in other heavily forested regions near the equator. Moles also eat beetle. Birds play a crucial role in eating insects such as beetle from around the world. Resembling ethereal ghosts, these glass-winged butterflies are an enchanting sight. Hedgehogs also eat worms, caterpillars, and slugs. The wings of this large butterfly are iridescent blue with black edges. It catches these insects quickly on the ground. No longer feeding on decaying wood and plants, adults prefer other options. (These lines of ants resemble human armies marching into battle, which is how army ants got their name.). Since both beetle and foxes have high populations around the world, they sometimes share the same habitat. The longer of the two horns projects from the insects head. All rights reserved. As adults they are mainly nocturnal; this allows them to lessen the chances of being predated. A common large species in the Australian Wet Tropics (about 6 cm long) is the Australian rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes ulysses) with its pitch black casing and impressive rhino-like horn. The largest scarab is the goliath beetle (genus Goliathus) from tropical Africa. Lizards like grasshoppers and beetle in general. It is no secret that South Americas Amazon Rainforest is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world around one in ten of all the known animal species in the world can be found there. It is a large and very distinctive insect, with yellow wings and a long tail projecting from each hind wing. ), making it a relatively small dragonfly. Elephant beetles spend up to three years as larvae. Studies show insects would destroy crops if it werent for birds. You can identify a jewel beetle by their usually flattened and elongate body.
In order to fit in this group, beetles must have noticeable elbows in their antennae. Kinkajous love fruit. For this reason alone rainforests should be considered extremely important habitats. They are constantly seen eating beetles, grasshoppers, and bees. Goliath beetles are found in African rainforests. Like many species in the Amazon, this gentle giant is sadly an endangered species due to the loss of habitat through deforestation. They are nocturnal beetles but very much attracted to light. Its presence is often encouraged by farmers, as the species will attack the crop eating coconut bug. An army ant foraging party is known as a raid. They need to be small insects to be seen as a feeding source. Rainforest Animals List With Pictures & Facts, Rainforest Reptiles List With Pictures & Facts, Queen Alexandras Birdwing Butterfly Facts, Rainforest Animals List with Pictures and Facts. Raids can consist of up to 200,000 ants. The fungus grows on the leaves they bring it; in return the ants feed their larvae with the fungus. Males can also be identified by the long horns which project forwards from the head. These fierce hunters are masters of camouflage and are very difficult to spot. The species was discovered by British collector Albert Meek, and named after Alexandra of Denmark, wife of King Edward VII. In a totally bizarre practice, the Satere Mawe tribe of the Brazilian Amazon has a manhood ritual in which boys have to wear gloves filled with these ants and endure the hideously painful bites for five minutes before they can be considered true warriors. Poincianas are large beetles about 6 cm long with khaki wing covers. The eye-like markings on each of the wings are a deterrent to predators. If not, the beetle is probably a related beetle in one of the smaller families. The Ulysses butterfly is found in tropical rainforests in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Elongating their bodies to appear longer is a common practice both to keep other males away and to impress females. Rainforest tribes use bullet ants in initiation ceremonies. Skunks have a similar diet to raccoons. Some types of snakes eat beetle. In reality, the majority of the animal life in the Amazon is made up of insects, and the numbers are staggering! Some are predators (like Ladybug Beetles), many are herbivores, and some are decomposers.
Both its fame and its name are due to its extremely painful sting; it is said that the pain from the sting of a bullet ant is comparable to that of being shot. While Rainforest Cruises aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information herein or found by following any link on this site. Beetles can destroy flowers and other plants. All types of frogs like to eat beetle. Hummingbird Moth Facts: Discover The Amazing Moths That Look (And Sound) Like Hummingbirds! In fact, the Northeast is [], Iced-over mountains rearing past 20,000 feet, yawning and mist-clawed selva soundtracked by bellowing howler monkeys, ethereal desert hills easing down to the surf: Perus scenic variety can bowl you over. Adult click beetles have a specially sculpted pit in their exoskeleton where, with a certain bending of their body, a spine tentatively rests on the pit-edge. Deer mice of the wild eat beetles. Beetles that resemble wasps (black and yellow coloring) are often overlooked by predators when feeding on pollen, flowers, and plants as they mistakenly assume they are true wasps. They are among the largest insects in the world, with the larger males reaching lengths of up to 110 mm (4.3 in.). For centuries it has been one [], The words Amazon Rainforest conjures up images of lush green canopies, exotic wildlife, and tantalizing rivers meandering out of sight. 11 Insects Of The Amazon Rainforest That Must Be Seen To Be Believed. If our selection of bizarre and beautiful Amazon rainforest insects has got your antennae twitching and piqued your interest, why not come visit the Amazon for yourself and witness its incredibly high diversity of bizarre bugs and other natural wonders, all with the help of our expert naturalist guides on your very own Amazon jungle tour. The Orange Assasin Bug (Pselliopus barberi) has been shown to eat beetles. Horned males use the large protrusions as weapons during these fights, and they use them for digging. Its impressive Latin name titanus giganteus pretty well sums up the worlds largest beetle. However, beetles are affected by the digestive system of toads living up to 2 weeks afterward. this website is so interesting keep up the work. The wings of clearwing butterflies lack these scales, and therefore appear almost transparent. Bats are among the first creates that eat beetles. There are around 200 species of orchid bee. However, mice that live inside homes rarely eat beetle. Whilst beautiful to look at, these butterflies are very difficult to spot because of their transparent wings. Over half of all the worlds species are found in rainforests. Terrestrial animals such as foxes and raccoons have also been shown to eat beetles. They will vigorously attack any predator that approaches the nest. Images may be used in classroom and academic presentations with notification of author. This is because they feed on blood, and in doing so transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and the zika virus. This stage typically lasts for 12 to 18 months. They dont even chew the beetle before swallowing. Mojave Desert Tortoise Facts, Pictures & Information: Discover The United States Largest Land Tortoise! The elephant beetle is a large rainforest insect found in Central and South America. Join the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes! You can spot Ceiba borers on tree trunks warming themselves in sunlight. If you rubbed off the delicate scales, the wings would be clear!
Beetles tend to be eaten by many species of insects, bugs, mammals, and birds. The larvae are also impressive at about 6 cm long. [], The Amazon Rainforest is known for being one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Their speed helps them catch the small insects rather quickly. When these insects are scarce hedgehogs have the tendency to consume small birds and their eggs as well as various fruit they find on the ground. Beetles also use other defensive methods. They are very difficult to catch as they can move in all directions incredibly quickly with their comically lithe and powerful limbs. Camouflage remains one of the best self-defense mechanisms of beetles. An entomologist from the Tambopata National Park research center in the Peruvian Amazon discovered that the caterpillars of this species live on tree trunks, feeding on the peculiar yellow bulbs of a rare parasitic plant. Weighing in as the most dangerous insect for humans on this list, the bullet ant has the title of having the most painful insect bite in the world. They are around 5 cm (2 inches) and have an impressive metallic casing. They go for honey or insects such as beetle as an alternative feeding source. It is found in the Amazon rainforest and other rainforests in Central and South America. They also like to eat June bugs. They are present in various habitats, including rainforests, and are found on all continents except Antarctica. Over half of all the worlds species* are insects, and over 1 million insect species have so far been identified.
The wings of most butterflies are covered with tiny scales which provide their bright colors. The species is a swallowtail butterfly in the family Papilionidae. In the Amazon Rainforest, you may see a colourful metallic green species in the genus Oxysternon. Native to Central and South America, this beetle is one of the largest in the world. As these beetles feed on dead and dying trees, they leave healthy vegetation to flourish. The butterflies iridescent (shiny) wings are thought to protect them from predators; the flapping of the shiny wings makes it hard for a predator to lock on to the insects position. Giant forest ant colonies are territorial. Raccoons arent always problematic for lawns. If attacked, this waxy structure breaks off, allowing the leafhopper nymph to zoom to safety.