Rain Forests and Cloud Forests

 

Automeris moths are among the most spectacular insects of the rain forests and cloud forests. They come in a seemingly endless variety of colors and shapes. The dramatic eyespots on their hindwings are normally hidden, folded under the forewings. When one of these moths is disturbed, however, it tries to startle the disturbing animal by opening its wings and flashing those brilliant "eyes". If I were a little bird suddenly coming face to face with giant eyes like these in the dark forest, I think I would jump out of my skin!!!

 

 

 

 

 

     These moths are strongly attracted to lights on moonless nights. When I lived in the Monteverde (Costa Rica) cloud forest for a few months, it was almost impossible to go to bed at night because of the amazing assortment of moths and beetles that kept landing on the windows. I would catch the most beautiful ones and keep them overnight, then photograph them and let them go in the morning. I didn't get much sleep those months.

 

The genus Automeris belongs to the family Saturniidae, which also includes the Luna and Cecropia moths of the U.S.

 

This Caligo butterfly has evolved eyespots similar to those of the Automeris moths. In Costa Rica a friend of mine was examining a tree trunk near me. Suddenly I heard her scream, then laugh. She had been startled by the "face" on this butterfly! If it can scare an intelligent human, it probably works wonders on smaller predators.

 

 

Rain Forests and Cloud Forests