Results of Panama Vaca

[guapoalto049]

(I'll edit this and add a few photos tomorrow)

Only found two mantids, both Liturgusa spp. and both found on Bastimentos island. This trip was a vacation so I wasn't able to run off and search as often as I had liked. Here are the locations I visited:

Fortuna Forest Reserve

higher elevation w/cool nights, went on 2 day hikes into the jungle and found just about nothing, big female beetle found at hostel

Bastimentos island

near the Caribbean beach, went on a day hike (hardly anything), and a night hike (2 Liturgusa mantids, many spiders, katydids, frogs, etc.)

The Pipeline Road

4 hr hike from 1-5, found a few insects and mammals

Barro Colorado Island

within Panama canal, Smithsonian Institute ran the tour during daytime. Tour guide claimed it is a 'haven for entomologists' but literally was no better than any other place I'd been

For anyone traveling to tropical locations, most jungle 'tours' are geared towards birders, thus are during the day. Insects seem to hide during the day and are generally active at night. If/when I go back to a tropical location, I won't waste much time during the day searching. I regretted not bringing a night sheet/light setup.

I wish I could have found more mantids to take pics for everyone...until next time!

 

[hibiscusmile]

Nice to be able to do that, hope u still had fun.

 

[guapoalto049]

Also found a lantern bug/peanut head bug egg case.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Not sure I would hold that!

 

[CosbyArt]

Too bad you didn't see more mantids for sure, but you did find a impressive beetle. I have to ask in the last photo (IMG_1844) is that a Phasmid nymph? I've been trying to find some local since I started in my "bug collection" as my wife calls it, but haven't found a single one yet.

I don't know a thing about the lantern bug/peanut head bugs. Best I could find was another forum where a user describes them, with several unique photos - guessing by the photos those were his pets, perhaps you can contact them and get some assistance. What little I can find about them sounds like a interesting bug, I'd just want to avoid the skunk-like spray. Best of luck with it, and I hope we see some photos of any that hatch.

 

[guapoalto049]

Too bad you didn't see more mantids for sure, but you did find a impressive beetle. I have to ask in the last photo (IMG_1844) is that a Phasmid nymph? I've been trying to find some local since I started in my "bug collection" as my wife calls it, but haven't found a single one yet.

I don't know a thing about the lantern bug/peanut head bugs. Best I could find was another forum where a user describes them, with several unique photos - guessing by the photos those were his pets, perhaps you can contact them and get some assistance. What little I can find about them sounds like a interesting bug, I'd just want to avoid the skunk-like spray. Best of luck with it, and I hope we see some photos of any that hatch.

Yeah that's a phasmid, I couldn't get a clear photo due to its movements.