Clearwing Butterfly

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Clearwing Butterfly
Scientific name : Oleria spp.
Order name : Lepidoptera
Family name : Ithomiidae

Discription : These ethereal and delicate tropical forest butterflies are often lured out of their seclusion by the chemicals found in dried Heliotropes. Their wings lack the usual dense covering of scales that give other butterflies their distinct coloration. This transparency renders these clearwing butterflies elusive as they appear and disappear in the dense forest undergrowth. After observing these butterflies, it is easy to see how numerous butterfly wings adorn the backs of fairies.

Thread - waisted wasp

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Thread - waisted wasp
Scientific name : Ammophila spp.
Order name : Hymenoptera
Family name : Sphecidae

Discription : Thread-waisted wasps are prolific caterpillar hunters. Paralyzed caterpillars are used as food for their young while they develop in sand burrows. This mating pair are solitary wasps who have a liking for flower pollen. They were found in the Mojave Desert in California. Wasp females sting with their modified egg laying apparatus and the junction between the thorax and abdomen exhibits considerable constriction.

Monkey Grasshopper

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Monkey Grasshopper
Scientific name : Genus specie
Order name : Orthoptera
Family name : Eumastacidae

Discription : With few visible flowering plants in tropical rainforests, insect have been named the flowers of the jungle. This brightly colored grasshopper lives up to that reputation. With ears on the sides of its abdomen, these hoppers are distinguishable from crickets and katydids by the short stubby antennae. Locust relatives have and continue to effect man when they swarm in the millions during their migratory rampages, consuming everything in their path.

Walking Stick

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Walking Stick
Scientific name : Oreophoetes spp.
Order name : Phasmida
Family name : Phasmatidae

Discription : Most female stick insects lack wings and tend to be geographically localized. In some species, this lack of mobility can result in defoliation of the chosen food plants. A number of stick insect species are capable of parthenogenesis; if no males are available to fertilize eggs, viable female offspring will be produced. Males are usually winged which allows for distribution of populations. Males are also know to stay coupled with females for considerable duration to ensure their own genes are responsible for egg fertilization. Some species are capable of altering their coloration. During the day they will appear lighter green, switching to a darker mode for their active nocturnal period. This Ecuadorian species displays a conspicuous red and black coloration.

Red Skimmer

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Red Skimmer
Scientific name : Crocothemis chinensis
Order name : Odonata
Family name : Lubellulidae

Discription : This vibrant Red Skimmer Dragonfly from Kauai was found patrolling the banks of a pond and habitually landed on it's favorite vantage point. Unlike other groups of insects, the beautiful colors fade quickly after death. Dragonflies sit with their wings out and perpendicular to their body whereas their damselfly relatives hold their wings up together above their body. Living up to their names, to their insect prey they are true dragons of the air, using their first 2 pair of legs as a basket with which they scoop up their insect prey in mid flight.

Stink Bug

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Stink Bug
Scientific name : Genus species
Order name : Hemiptera
Family name : Pentatomidae

Discription : Stink bugs are named for their ability to exude a foul smelling substance from a pore on each side of their thorax. These bugs often have symbiotic relationships with bacteria that aid the insect in the production of nutrients. Other insects, like termite, have similar relationships that aid in their digestion of wood. Stink bugs are predacious on other insects, good fliers and are recognized by a large triangular scutellum on their back.

Lantern Bug

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Credit : insects.org
Common name : Lantern Bug
Scientific name : Genus species
Order name : Homoptera
Family name : Fulgoridae

Discription : Tropical Fulgorids account for some of the largest planthoppers. This Indonesian species displayed bold and conspicuous behavior on the exposed tree trunk. Once they determine you have violated their comfort zone they make a speedy retreat by scuttling to the opposite side of the trunk. This behavior can be witnessed in the smaller planthoppers although their retreat usually amounts to hiding on the other side of small twigs or stems. This specimen shows off a gorgeous pair of bright red compound eyes and demonstrates an erect and alert stance.