Butterflies, Moths, and Other Invertebrates of Costa Rica : A Field Guide

by Henderson, Carrol L.

• ISBN13: 9780292719668
• ISBN10: 0292719663
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-01
• Publisher: Univ of Texas Pr

Summary

At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals--over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all these visitors, as well as local residents, identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, Carrol Henderson published Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica in 2002, and it instantly became the indispensable guide. Now Henderson has created a dedicated field guide to more than one hundred tropical butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates that travelers are most likely to see while exploring the wild lands of Costa Rica. He includes fascinating information on their natural history, ecology, identification, and behavior gleaned from his forty years of travels and wildlife viewing, as well as details on where to see these remarkable and beautiful creatures. The butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates are illustrated by over 180 stunning and colorful photographs--most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. A detailed and invaluable appendix that identifies many of Costa Rica's best wildlife-watching destinations, lodges, and contact information for trip-planning purposes completes the volume.

Author Biography

Carrol L. Henderson has headed the Nongame Wildlife Program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for thirty-two years. He is an award-winning wildlife conservationist who has helped bring back eastern bluebirds, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, river otters, and trumpeter swans; an avid wildlife photographer whose images have appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, Birder's World, and Wild Bird; and experienced birding tour leader to Latin America, Kenya, Tanzania, and New Zealand; and the author of many magazine articles and nine books, including Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide and Oology and Ralph's Talking Eggs. He lives in Blaine, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Introduction	p. 1
Historical Perspective	p. 2
Research	p. 2
Education	p. 3
Preservation	p. 3
Conservation	p. 6
Nature Tourism	p. 6
Geography	p. 8
Biogeography	p. 10
Migratory Species	p. 11
Endemic Species	p. 13
Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands	p. 13
Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands	p. 13
Endemic Species of Cocos Island	p. 14
Endemic Species and DNA Barcoding Revelations	p. 14
Major Biological Zones	p. 15
Tropical Dry Forest	p. 17
Southern Pacific Lowlands	p. 17
Central Plateau (Central Valley)	p. 18
Caribbean Lowlands	p. 19
Highlands	p. 20
Coastal Beaches, Islands, and Mangrove Lagoons	p. 24
Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage	p. 24
Bibliography	p. 26
Butterflies And Moths Species Accounts
Butterflies	p. 31
Swallowtail Family (Papilionidae)	p. 34
Gossamer-winged Butterfly Family (Lycaenidae)	p. 36
Brush-footed Butterfly Family (Nymphalidae)	p. 37
Moths	p. 91
Flannel Moth Family (Megalopygidae)	p. 93
Castniid Moth Family (Castniidae)	p. 94
Giant Silkworm Moth Family (Saturniidae)	p. 95
Sphinx Moth Family (Sphingidae)	p. 109
Uraniid Moth Family (Uraniidae)	p. 113
Noctuid Moth Family (Noctuidae)	p. 114
Arctiid Moth Family (Arctiidae)	p. 115
Other Invertebrates Species Accounts	p. 119
Order Odonata	p. 120
Giant Damselfly Family (Pseudostigmatidae)	p. 120
Order Orthoptera	p. 122
Grasshopper Family (Acrididae)	p. 122
Katydid Family (Tettigoniidae)	p. 123
Order Dictyoptera	p. 126
Mantis Family (Mantidae)	p. 126
Order Isoptera	p. 127
Termite Family (Termitidae)	p. 127
Order Homoptera	p. 128
Lantern Bug Family (Fulgoridae)	p. 128
Order Megaloptera	p. 129
Dobson Fly Family (Corydalidae)	p. 129
Order Coleoptera	p. 130
Long-horned Beetle Family (Cerambycidae)	p. 130
Scarab Beetle Family (Scarabaeidae)	p. 131
Order Hymenoptera	p. 134
Bee Family (Apidae)	p. 134
Ant Family (Formicidae)	p. 135
Order Araneae	p. 140
Orb-weaver Spider Family (Tetragnathidae)	p. 140
Order Polydesmida	p. 141
Millipede Family (Platyrhacidae)	p. 141
Order Decapoda	p. 142
Rock Runner Crab Family (Grapsidae)	p. 142
Land Crab Family (Gecarcinidae)	p. 143
Glossary	p. 145
Bibliography	p. 149
Appendices
Costa Rican Conservation Organizations	p. 153
Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations of Costa Rica	p. 154
Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist	p. 165
Travel Tips for a Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip in Costa Rica	p. 166
About the Author	p. 167
Index	p. 169
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