Insects | Morten Ross

Archive for 'Insects'

Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus)

Elevation: 906 meters.

Large Yeoman (Cirrochroa aoris)

Elevation: 906 meters.

Glassy Tiger (Parantica aglea)

Elevation: 1102 meters.

Sikkim butterfly (Symbrenthia)

Elevation: 1164 meters.

A Pale Jezebel caught in the web, but it died by exhaustion rather than poison as the spider would normally wrap it in silk. Was it too big for the spider or did the spider die? One of endless seemingly pointless deaths in nature.

Blåklokkebie (Melitta haemorrhoidalis)

Dette er første gangen jeg ser denne arten! Jeg trodde først den var gammel og utslitt, for den bare hang på klokken som dinglet i vinden, som om den hvilte. Jeg løp for å hente kameraet og den hang der fremdeles. Etter en liten stund tok den en tur langt inn i klokken for å […]

Skogtordivel (Anoplotrupes stercorosus)

Gjødselbillen skogtordivel treffer jeg regelmessig på turene mine i nærmiljøet, som her like ved Nydammen, nord for Gjersjøen.

Bicyclus anynana (ssp. socotrana)

In places commonly seen on socotra, like this one alongside the trail to Hoq cave.

Red-veined Dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa)

The Red-veined Dropwing is one of an incredible 22 dragon- and damselfly species found on Socotra, which is quite a feat for an isolated island. Read more about the Dragonflies of Dragon’s Blood Island: Atlas of the Odonata of the Socotra Archipelago Elevation: 678 meters.

Scintharista forbesii

One of two short-horned grasshopper species I encountered. Socotra is home to many species of insects, but I am focusing on flora for the most part and capture insects when I see them as part of the flora exploration.

Robber fly (Subfamily Asilinae)

A brief encounter with one of perhaps more species of robber flies on Socotra. Elevation: 918 meters.

Scintharista forbesii

One of two short-horned grasshopper species I encountered at this location, at 918 meters elevation. Socotra is home to many species of insects, but I am focusing on flora for the most part and capture insects when I see them as part of the flora exploration.

Acorypha bimaculata

Coeliades anchises ssp. jucunda

This winter has seen a good amount of rain, resulting in lots of growth. At this location I encountered several species of insects, including two species of butterflies, where this one was most helpful with a pose.

Mimic (Hypolimnas misippus)

A very busy male of the species, rarely resting for long, so this was my only opportunity and shot of this species at this location. During my 7 day stay here I did not encounter it at any other locations.

Jordhumle – Bumble Bee (Bombus sp)

Når gressløken blomstret og farget store deler av Fyrsteilene lilla i begynnelsen av juni var det få humler å se, og jeg fryktet at humlebolene på øya ikke hadde overlevd vinteren. Men nå i juli er det store mengder humler, og de kan ikke få nok av de mange aksveronikaene (Veronica spicata) som vokser over […]

Jordhumle – Bumble Bee (Bombus sp)

Humlene på Fyrsteilene har mange plantearter å velge mellom fra våren til sensommeren, og nå er det aksveronikaene (Veronica spicata) som er viktigst da den vokser over hele øya og stedvis i tette bestander. Mange av aksveronikaene har blomstret i noen uker nå og blomsterstandene viser nå at det kun er noen få knopper igjen […]

Sankthansorm | Common European glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca)

Common European glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca) Bioluminescence has fascinated me since early childhood when I first encountered these glowing dots in the heather, mosses, lichen or bare rocks by the ocean where I live. As the years went on I have been fortunate to encounter incredible diversity of glowing insects, fungi and ocean-dwellers. In South America […]

Socotra Zoned-Furrow Bee (Patellapis flavovittata)

With just two days on the highest parts of Socotra’s Haghier mountains – Skand – I did not have much time to photograph insects in addition to the flora. But this bee entered during a photo session with this Trichodesma microcalyx. Talk about luck, as his is a very rare treat! Both are endemic which […]

Bicyclus anynana socotrana

A bird has likely tried to eat it, and thus a part of the hind wing was lost. This was only one of the species I encountered, so this imperfect specimen must do.

Sooty Blue Zizeeria knysna

There are many species of butterflies on Socotra, and in some areas you can see many of them if there are plenty of plants in bloom. At higher elevations – about 800 meters and higher, the euryops arabicus thrives, so when in bloom the butterflies have a lot of food from the thousands of flowers. […]

Glass-Tip Acraea (Acraea neobule socotrana)

Utetheisa sp

At around 800 meter elevation and up the Euryops arabicus were in bloom and thus a lot of insects gathered to eat from the huge number of flowers. This was one of several lepidoptera species I encountered here. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Belonogaster saussurei

During bloom the widespread shrub croton socotranus is an important food source for insects of all sizes. Here the paper wasp belongaster saussurei is visiting every open flower on this specimen. In many places this shrub is dominating the landscape, and if they are all in bloom you can imagine the abundance of food, and […]

Belonogaster saussurei

A beautiful specimen of Ochradenus socotranus, untouched by livestock due to its position high up a sheer cliff face. In the morning shade from the towering cliffs and from water seeping through deep cracks in the mountain, the plants growing here are more vital than those out in the open landscape. Thus the many flowers […]

African migrant (Catopsilia florella)

This was the first of many species of butterflies I encountered on Socotra, and here I found at least 6 males of Catopsilia florella. I find the male rather dull compared to the female, but that is my view – the female definitely selects a male with a green hue. Here it’s finding food in […]

African migrant (Catopsilia florella)

The female of the species I encountered around the mangrove forest on Shuab beach of west Socotra. As long as the endemic Limonium sokotranum is in bloom the butterflies have plenty of food as they are very common here.

Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)

There are a few access roads to the Rio Las Piedras which is the only way to the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and on my way back we chose to drive the one that is the shortest way from ARCC, but is longer on land. This cause some problems when there have been […]

Veined White Skipper (Heliopetes arsalte)

Orcus Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus orcus)

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

This large and powerful species is out of reach for a human most of the time, except when it lands on one of the riverbanks to lick salts from the ground – deposited by wild animals or humans. This been has been very busy pollinating – the true color is covered by yellow pollen! Please […]

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

This large and powerful species is out of reach for a human most of the time, except when it lands on one of the riverbanks to lick salts from the ground – deposited by wild animals or humans. You see yellow pollen on wings and head. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Fireflies of Madre de Dios

I stayed many days deep in the Peruvian Amazon, in the biodiverse Madre de Dios region where life is abundant every second of every hour of the day and night. The nights are pitch black and intense with sounds and scents, and only the full moon in a cloudless night will provide rays of light […]

ARCC insect 05 (Heteroptera)

Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Eumaeus minyas

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Some so well camouflaged that I couldn’t see them unless they moved of was in flight. This one was one of several exceptions, as its bright spots make it somewhat conspicuous. Thanks to Kim Garwood […]

Swamp Skimmer (Orthemis cultriformis)

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is protecting primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, and this is one of countless species of dragonflies I encountered. I found a large fallen tree which had created new opportunities for many species. Now an opening to the sky and sun was available together with a hole in the […]

ARCC dragonfly 03

ARCC dragonfly 02

ARCC dragonfly 01

Rainbow Metalmark (Caria trochilus)

A large tree had fallen down, and under the root a small pond had formed. This together with a cone of light where the canopy of the fallen tree once was, I found so many interesting insects that had found this temporary opportunity in the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in […]

ARCC lepidoptera 04 (Caeruleuptychia sp)

There are many trails around Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and although many find the forest dark and lifeless compared to the canopy, you only need to take it slow, and you’ll see how it’s teeming with life. On just one point of one of the trails I found many species of butterflies. Most […]

Pythonides grandes

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when the rest on leaf litter. Some, like this one, are very visible when they sit in the few rays of sunlight passing through the canopy […]

ARCC lepidoptera 02

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when they rest on leaf litter. It’s even also hard to see when when it’s sitting on fresh leaves, as the background is leaf litter and […]

Pierella lena

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when they rest on leaf litter. Thanks to Kim Garwood for ID confirmation.

Pseudophasma blanchardi

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects and some are really hard to see, like this stick-insect.

Giant Red-winged Grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata)

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is teaming with insects (ARCC), and on the base of a tree I found many attracted to sap coming out of the tree. Several species come here, and some are able to eat into the bark and reach the sap – this grasshopper is one of […]

ARCC insect 02

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects, and on the base of a tree I found many attracted to sap coming out of the tree. Several species come here, and some are able to eat into the bark and reach the sap. Yet others, like this species, come […]

ARCC insect 01

ARCC insect 06 (Heteroptera)

There are several beautiful specimens of heliconias growing in the garden of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and when in bloom they are a great place to observe the myriads of birds and insects visiting. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

ARCC bush cricket 01

Just walking amongst the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) will reveal lots of insects, and this female is one of several species of tettigoniidae living here. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Blue-banded Morpho (Morpho achilles)

Morphos are mesmerizing! In flight you see the flash of blue, but when they sit they’re invisible as they almost never open the wings and the underside is like the surroundings of its environment – the dark and dappled forest floor. This individual is old and torn, perhaps somewhat confused as it’s sitting with open […]

Alurnus orbignyi

One of countless colorful insect species on the doorstep of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC).

Queen (Danaus gilippus)

A truly amazing butterfly, and as I recall the only one of the species I encountered here at SouthWild Pantanal. Here it’s visiting a plant growing alongside the SouthWild Pantanal’s dirt road – just a couple of hundred metres away from the buildings.

Pantanal lepidoptera 02

One of just a few nocturnal lepidopteras I encountered at SouthWild Pantanal. I wonder how many species you can see here in the high season… Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Pantanal lepidoptera 01

One of just a few nocturnal lepidopteras I encountered at SouthWild Pantanal. I wonder how many species you can see here in the high season… Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Thoasa Sister (Adelpha thoasa)

Another species in the Adelpha genus! Some are very hard to identify as the patterns look very similar, but this of the easy ones. I encountered it as I was photographing the many wonderful flower species in bloom here at Southwild Pantanal.

Julia (Dryas iulia)

This butterfly turned up as I was photographing flowers alongside one of the trails around SouthWild Pantanal.

Eurema agave

Sitting on an inflorescense on a sandbank of the river Cuiaba upriver from Porto Jofre.

Common Spurwing (Antigonus erosus)

In some areas by the rivers and under fruiting trees I found plenty of individuals from this species, and when they are still they can be hard to see. This one is from under a fruiting tree in a farm (fazenda) far upstream from Porto Jofre.

Lysippus Metalmark (Riodina lysippus)

I visited Pantanal just as the rainy season was beginning, and the rivers still not covering the sandbanks. Thus I could enjoy all the different kinds of insect and butterflies. This was one of many, many species I encountered.

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the only way to get a decent shot. The name cracker is based on the […]

Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. This however is my first of this particular species, and is a real beauty. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the […]

Gray ministreak (Ministrymon azia)

Yet another interesting species I found on the many sandbanks – some locations I found them in groups like here. It’s very small but beautiful genus in the Lycaenidae family, and should perhaps be easy to identify, but these patterns are so minutely different in each species, that it’s like reading barcode. What’s interesting about […]

Flamingo Leafwing (Fountainea ryphea phidile)

On the many sandbanks I encountered lots of butterflies. Some not so easy to see when sitting on the ground like this. Here it’s sucking up minerals from capybara dung. Only when this species is flying you’ll see the beautiful colors on the upper side. Several species of butterflies simply refuse to open wings when […]

Pantanal Cicada 01

To my ears there was only one species of Cicada playing – this one. I found them everywhere – high and low like here on the trunk of a tree just a couple of metres above ground. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)

Gulf fritillary (Dione vanillae)

During my visit I saw many species of butterflies on the many sandbanks. Capybaras and other mammals leave behind body fluids, feces and urine that attract butterflies and many other insects seeking salts and minerals. When the sandbanks become submerged this is no longer so easily accessible.

Juno Longwing (Dione juno)

During my journeys on the rivers I saw many species of butterflies on the sandbanks. Capybaras and other mammals leave behind body fluids, feces and urine that attract butterflies and many other insects seeking salts and minerals. When the sandbanks become submerged this is no longer so easily accessible.

Itatiaia lepidoptera 23

During my 4 nights at Hotel do Ype, this night stood out as a particularly busy in regard to number of insects. It was very humid – the clouds were low – and this seemed attractive to the insects. Add the large windows in the restaurant, and you have a perfect insect trap! Altitude: 1021 […]