Chien C. Lee

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  • Deep within a cave in Mulu National Park, the sticky threads secreted by the larvae of a fungus midge (family Mycetophilidae) function as a trap for small flying insects.  When ensnared in this trap, prey are reeled in and eaten. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A butterfly caterpillar (Cupha erymanthis) standing guard over a clutch of parasitic wasp pupae that recently hatched from its body. Having been impregnated by eggs from a female wasp, the larvae develop within the caterpillar, consuming its flesh as they grow. In order to keep their host alive, the wasp larvae are careful to avoid all vital organs and the caterpillar thus appears and behaves rather normal until the larvae eventually emerge. In a similar vein to the mind-controlled zombie ants, the wasp larvae also secrete some cocktail of hormones that modify the behavior of the caterpillar, in this case it is induced to stand guard and protect the wasp pupae from predators or other parasitic wasps until it eventually dies of starvation. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Malayan Lacewing Butterfly (Cethosia hypsea) caterpillars utilize warning coloration to signify to predators that they are unpalatable. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A column of nomadic Asian army ants (Aenictus laeviceps) carry their developing larvae to a new temporary nesting site. Ants of the genus Aenictus are specialized predators on other social insects, including wasps, bees, termites, and other ant species. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The enormous caterpillars of the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) consume huge amounts of leaves before they will pupate. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The hypodermic needle-like bristles on this slug moth caterpillar (Thosea sp., family Limacodidae) are capable of inflicting painful stings, making them an effective defense against would-be predators. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Common Mormon Swallowtail (Papilio polytes). This young butterfly caterpillar avoids predation by appearing unappealingly similar to a bird dropping. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bagworm caterpillars (moths of the family Psychidae) are known for their habit of hiding themselves in a portable shelter of plant materials that they secure with silken threads, with each species having its own preference of design. This species begins with small accurately trimmed twigs formed in a 3-sided spiral pyramid, and adds additional larger twigs at the end as the caterpillar grows in size, in a masterful example of miniature craftsmanship. East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Banded Swallowtail (Papilio demolion), gregarious caterpillars. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • After several months of feeding on Aristolochia leaves, the mature caterpillar of this large birdwing butterfly (Troides andromache) prepares for its final moult into the pupal stage when metamorphosis will transform it into an adult. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Unable to fly with a load many times her own weight, a female Thread-waisted Sand Wasp (Ammophila beniniensis) hauls a large caterpillar which she has paralyzed with her sting. She is seeking a burrow she has prepared in advance and, even though it may be a considerable distance away, she shows a remarkable orientation ability even though there may be numerous obstacles in her path. Once placed inside, with the burrow sealed shut by small rocks and its entrance hidden from potential thieves, the ill-fated caterpillar will serve as live food for the single egg the wasp has deposited along with it. Fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
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  • Bright colors warn potential predators of the painful stinging bristles worn by this slug moth caterpillar (family Limacodidae). Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Although each armed with stinging bristles, a brood of juvenile nettle caterpillars (Limacodidae) enhances their defense by forming a tight grouping. Each caterpillar faces outward, presenting a wall of venomous spines to their enemies. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bagworm (family Psychidae) moth caterpillar. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Marauder Ants (Carebara affinis) attacking a beetle grub. The minor workers are assisted by their larger sisters, the majors and super-majors, which use their powerful mandibles to cut the grub into smaller pieces. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Hooktip moth caterpillar (family Drepanidae). Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo)
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  • This unidentified caterpillar which feeds on epiphytic moss, is camouflaged to look like its preferred substrate. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Marauder Ants (Carebara affinis) attacking a beetle grub. The minor workers are assisted by their larger sisters, the majors and super-majors, which use their powerful mandibles to cut the grub into smaller pieces. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Almost looking like it belongs more on a coral reef than in a rainforest, this moth caterpillar (Idonauton cf. apicalis) uses bright aposematic patterns to warn potential predators of its stinging bristles. Caterpillars of this family (Limacodidae) are often called ‘slug moths’ because they lack prolegs and instead move over the surface of a leaf in an oozing-fashion using suckers. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Almost looking like it belongs more on a coral reef than in a rainforest, this moth caterpillar (Idonauton cf. apicalis) uses bright aposematic patterns to warn potential predators of its stinging bristles. Caterpillars of this family (Limacodidae) are often called ‘slug moths’ because they lack prolegs and instead move over the surface of a leaf in an oozing-fashion using suckers. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Elibia dolichus, caterpillar. Although large and seemingly intimidating, this sphinx moth caterpillar is completely harmless and relies entirely on camouflage and eyespots to deter predators. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Shag-carpet caterpillar (Prothysana sp.). Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo, Ecuador.
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  • Godart's Map Butterfly (Cyrestis acilia), larva. Central Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • A female pompilid wasp (Eragenia congrua) hauls a paralyzed spider (Corinna sp.) towards her nest, after having neatly amputated its legs to make the transport of her victim easier. This will not be food for her, but for her offspring. Her nest consists of a hole in the soft bark of a tree, and once depositing the spider inside she will lay a single egg, which upon hatching into a larva will consume the still-living host. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Tiny, ubiquitous, and comprising many thousands of species, parasitoid wasps extract a heavy toll on their hosts, with many species responsible for keeping other insect populations in check. Here, a female wasp (Anastus sp.), just a few millimeters in length, drills her ovipositer into the eggshell of an Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), the world's largest moth. Her developing larvae will consume the contents of the egg and pupate therein before emerging as adults. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The highly specialized antennae of many beetles can reveal much about each species’ particular lifestyle. Here, a Malayan Giant Click Beetle (Oxynopterus audouini) shows off his impressive comb-like antennae, a feature only males possess and which are used to increase their ability to detect the faint pheromones of females in the dense vegetation of the rainforest. Reaching lengths of over 6cm, this is one of the world’s largest species of click beetles (family Elateridae), and is known for having larvae which predate on termites. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A potter wasp (Omicroides singularis) returns to her nest with a paralyzed caterpillar. Each perfectly crafted urn will be filled with a dozen or so caterpillars before she deposits a single egg and seals the entrance. The developing wasp larvae will feed on the caterpillars before pupating and emerging as an adult. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A view from within the pitcher of this semi-carnivorous plant (Nepenthes ampullaria). Without a protective lid as in most other species of Nepenthes, the pitchers of N. ampullaria are exposed to rain as well as a continual fall of leaf litter from the forest canopy. In this way they are able to derive a significant portion of their nutrients from detritus. The dark objects on the inner rim are pupae of a Megaselia fly whose larvae feed on dead insects within the pitcher fluid. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Shag-carpet Caterpillar (Prothysana), one of two species that, aside from their curious appearance, exhibit a remarkable form of mimicry. Tiny parasitoid wasps are known for extracting a heavy toll on caterpillars: their larvae devour a caterpillar from inside out, emerging once they are ready to turn into adult wasps and leaving their distinctive white cocoons in the process. At a glance, the white dorsal hairs of Prothsyana look exactly like these wasp cocoons, so much so that the wasps themselves likely avoid laying their eggs in this caterpillar, believing that it has already been eaten. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • A spiny tachinid fly (Eudejeania sp.), the larvae of which are typically parasitoids of caterpillars. Cosanga, Ecuador.
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  • Blister beetle (Horia debyi). The larvae of blister beetles of the genus Horia prey on the larvae of Xylocarpa carpenter bees. This is an adult male, evidenced by the enlarged hind femora. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Male parental care is quite rare in nature, but a variety of frogs throughout the tropics show instances where the father transports the young on his back. In most cases this involves carrying either eggs or tadpoles, but in a few New Guinean species, such as this Sphenophryne cornuta, actual froglets ride in piggyback fashion. A member of the Microhylidae, these frogs have direct-development larvae which means that the tadpoles morph into tiny frogs before leaving the egg, an adaptation enabling them to negate the need for a pool of water. The froglets will hitch a ride on the back of their father for several days before being dispersed in the rainforest understory. Digul River, South Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea)
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  • Covered in gaudy colors to warn of her painful sting, a female velvet ant (Odontomutilla grossa) scurries about the rainforest floor in search of a nest to parasitize. These are not ants at all but actually a type of wasp (family Mutillidae) in which the females are completely wingless. Eggs are laid in the nests of other wasps or bees where they feed on the larvae of their host. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Within the chamber of a giant pitcher plant (Nepenthes rajah), an iridescent Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites sp.) emerges from its pupal case. These large mosquitoes do not suck blood, feeding instead on flower nectar and plant sap. The larvae are voracious predators of aquatic insects, including the young of other mosquitoes. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Seemingly oblivious to its own potential demise, an ornamental moth caterpillar (Rhuda sp.) carries on about its daily business while a tiny parasitoid Chalcidid wasp (Conura sp.) rides piggyback. These wasps are among a multitude of related species which utilize caterpillars (and their pupae) as living hosts for their brood. After depositing its eggs, the wasp’s larvae develop within the caterpillar’s body, carefully consuming its non-vital organs until they are ready to emerge. In this way, the caterpillar will be kept alive just long enough to insure the wasp larvae are able to complete their life cycle. Soberanía National Park, Panama.
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