Rainforest jumping spider feasts on long-legged fly
This video shows a tiny jumping spider from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador feeding on a long-legged fly. Jumping spiders do not build a web to trap insects, but jump on their prey and grab it with the jaws. Jumping spiders still produce silk for safety lines while jumping and also to build a tent as shelter from bad weather and to sleep at night. As most spiders they have four pairs of eyes, which give them a 360-degree view of the world. Their large frontal eyes are build like telescopes and provide them with very sharp vision. A mobile retina allows them to scan the object they are looking at.
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Jumping spider from Ecuador at breakfast
Jumping spiders, Salticidae are the largest family of spiders. They do not build a web to trap insects, but jump on their prey and grab it with the jaws. This little fellow from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador was filmed shortly after it had caught a fly. Jumping spiders still produce silk for safety lines while jumping and also to build a tent as shelter from bad weather and to sleep at night. As most spiders they have four pairs of eyes, which give them a 360-degree view of the world. Their large frontal eyes are build like telescopes and provide them with very sharp vision. A mobile retina allows them to scan the object they are looking at.
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Bizarre rainforest insect resembles a helicopter
This is a treehopper from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Treehoppers are insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. Most treehoppers have a highly modified pronotum on the back, in this case forming five hairy globes and a long spine, probably serving to deter predators. Treehoppers feed on plant sap which is rich in sugar.
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Iridescent Temnosoma Bee shows off dazzling colors
This footage from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest shows a temnosoma bee grooming and licking honey. Check out those colors!
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Look but don't touch: Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar
This footage shows the stinging nettle slug caterpillar of a cup moth, about 10mm in size. It's cool to look at but very painful to touch as it has urticating spines!
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Slender-legged tree frog from Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest
This footage from the the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador shows a juvenile slender-legged tree frog. This is just one of more than 500 species of frogs in Ecuador!
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Crab spider mimics flower to attract prey
Flower Crab Spiders do not build webs to catch their prey. Instead, they are ambush predators. They usually sit motionless in flowers and grab visiting insects such as bees, flies or butterflies with their crab-like front legs. Some species can even change color to match the flower they are on.
But this species from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador can be found on green leaves and mimics itself a flower by reflecting ultraviolet (UV) light, just as flowers do, in order to attract pollinating insects. Even its movements are jerky, like a flower swaying in the wind. It produces silk for safety lines. As most spiders it has four pairs of eyes.
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Bizarre monkey slug caterpillar from Ecuador
This footage from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest captures the weird looking monkey slug caterpillar. Creepy!
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Longhorn Beetles mating in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest
This footage shows several couples of Longhorn Beetles of the species Steirastoma breve in the family Cerambycidae mating in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
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Strange insect filmed in Amazon rainforest of Ecuador
This is a treehopper from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Treehoppers are insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. Most treehoppers have a highly modified pronotum on the back. They feed on plant sap which is rich in sugar. Cool!
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Ecuador Is Home To A Stunningly Beautiful Treehopper
Nature is so beautiful and so are all the living creatures in it! If you are someone who is frightened by insects or bugs this might not be the one for you! If you do like insects and how beautiful they can be, then you will definitely enjoy this short video showing off an Ecuadorian insect! They can look kind of creepy but they also look very elegant at the same time! Hope you enjoy this little video showing of this little <a href="https://rumble.com/v6a07n-treehopper-meeting-in-ecuador.html" target="_blank">treehopper</a> !
The Amazon Rainforest is actually located in 9 different countries, mainly in Brazil but it also located in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Venezuela. It is the largest rainforest on Earth and actually has one of the largest river systems with the main one being the Amazon River. The Amazon is home to some of the most unique, scary, beautiful, and strange creatures. Some of the most dangerous creatures reside in this giant forest such as Poison Dart Frogs, Anaconda, Jaguars, and all sorts of insects and spiders! Definitely not somewhere to explore alone and with no professional help! Always have to remember to be careful in the habitat of wild animals and remember that you are invading their space now.
The treehopper in this video definitely looks very unique. It can be found in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador and it has such vibrant colors! Actually, it can be mistaken for a butterfly that has its wings closed ready to fly! Treehoppers are insects related to leafhoppers and cicadas. Leafhoppers are very similar to grasshoppers but are much smaller and do not jump as far as a grasshopper. I imagine most people have seen a grasshopper maybe in their garden or in the grass but definitely haven’t seen one like the Amazon has to offer!
A cicada is a family of insects that usually jump and are small and round. They have wings to fly and are usually pretty frightening. They have been around since ancient times and you can see they have an old mythological look to them! Wide eyes and small wings and they can be pretty noisy! They usually appear at night to avoid predators and mostly live in trees and feed off sap. Since this treehopper is a member of the cicada family it shares similar traits!
This colorful treehopper has a very pronounced pronotum. It is the colorful part of its body and its seen like a big hump on its back. In fact, this is what makes it look like a butterfly with closed wings! Even though these are actually not its wings but part of its body. The treehopper has 6 legs and feed off plant sap to get a high sugar intake! This is quite an amazing insect. One of the more pleasant insects to look at with its butterfly like appearance. Maybe if it was flying towards you it might be a different story, but in this video, it looks very elegant. There is many more surprising and strange creatures in the <a href="https://rumble.com/v4a9sz-leafcutter-ants-crossing-a-bridge-in-the-amazon-rainforest-of-ecuador.html" target="_blank">Amazon</a> !
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Colorful jumping spider doesn't need web to catch prey
The jumping spiders of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador do not build a web to trap insects, but jump on their prey and grab it with the jaws. They still produce silk for safety lines while jumping and also to build a tent as shelter from bad weather and to sleep in. As most spiders they have four pairs of eyes, which give them a 360-degree view of the world. Their large frontal eyes are build like telescopes and provide them with very sharp vision. A mobile retina allows them to scan the object they are looking at.
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Treehopper disguises as leaf to escape hungry predators
This treehopper nymph from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest mimics a leaf to escape the attention of hungry predators. Incredible!
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Stingless bees tend to treehoppers for honeydew
These stingless bees are tending two treehoppers in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Treehoppers feed upon sugar containing sap of the plant. Excess sap is excreted as honeydew which is more commonly collected by ants.
The ants, or in this case bees, feed upon the sugar and, in return, protect the treehoppers from predators. This is an example of mutualism, a form of symbiosis where both species benefit.
The treehopper mother on the right hand side is guarding her froth-covered egg mass and receives special attention from the bees. At 1:30 of the video the bees even ventilate mother and eggs with their wings, presumably to avoid that they overheat in the sun. Amazing!
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Rainforest treehoppers gather together for feeding
These are three treehoppers from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador: Cyphonia trifida (red an black with spines), Enchenopa ignidorsum (black and yellow) and Darnis lateralis (shiny black with white line). Treehoppers are insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. Most treehoppers have a highly modified pronotum on the back, forming several hollow spines, which makes them unpalatable for potential predators and thereby gives them an advantage in the struggle for survival. Treehoppers feed on plant sap which is rich in sugar. In this video the sucking mouthparts of the treehopper have penetrated the vein of a leaf.
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Orchid bee collects perfume from orchid in Amazon rainforest
This footage from Jardín Botánico "Las Orquídeas" in Puyo, Ecuador shows an orchid bee collecting perfume from a Gongora orchid. These orchids do not produce nectar to attract pollinators, but fragrances which are collected by male orchid bees in order to seduce females. The bees collect perfume with brushes on their forelegs and transfer it in flight via the middle legs to cavities on the enlarged hind legs.
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Intelligent Moss-Mimicking Stick Insect In Ecuador
This moss mimic walking stick was filmed at Finca Palamonte near Baños in Ecuador. During the daytime it hangs on moss covered twigs, where it is nearly imperceptible and only becomes active at night to feed on orchid leaves. It not only looks like moss but when disturbed even moves like it was waving in the wind!
This elegant creature with its peculiar and mesmerizing appearance and unique body movement was spotted at Finca Palmonte near Baños in Ecuador.
The strange creature in question is a moss mimic stick insect (Trychopeplus laciniatus) which belongs to the order of Phasmatodea – most commonly known as walking sticks or simply stick insects. Together with another closely related family called the Phylliidae which include insects that mimic leaves, they are among the world’s best masters of disguise.
As their names suggest, some of them are characterized by a leaf-like body and are typically flat and wide while other, larger ones, possess a stick-like figure and are more slender in shape. They are typically quite large and can reach anywhere from a few to an incredible twelve inches in length.
Besides their size, the color of their bodies is extremely important as it allows them to easily blend into their surroundings and protect themselves against any potential danger. These incredible insects often possess green, yellow or brown coloring but some may display multiple colors as well. Some also have the ability to change color depending on their environment, weather conditions or simply the time of the day, absorbing more light during the day which causes a lighter appearance and darkening during the night.
Certain species can be covered in thorns, leaves or leaf-like patterns or even moss such as the one shown in this video. While they are quite noticeable outside of their surroundings, when against a wooden or mossy background, their moss-like texture makes them completely invisible.
Additionally, while some types do have wings, the insects in these families are most commonly wingless. Instead, they possess elongated antennae which help them navigate their path.
A very important characteristic which further differentiates them from other insects is their unique walk. The slow, rhythmic movement which seems like back and forth rocking creates the illusion of being caught in a strong wind. This strange <a href="https://rumble.com/v4d51n-take-a-walk-in-princes-shoes.html" target="_blank">walk</a> is vital as it mimics the natural movement of plants and further helps them blend into the vegetation around them.
While they may seem intimidating or even poisonous to those unaware of their innocuous <a href="https://rumble.com/v33qmq-animal-man-beautiful-images-that-nature-lovers-and-animal-buffs-can-watch.html" target="_blank">nature</a>, these insects are herbivores, meaning that they exclusively eat plants. They are also nocturnal and are most active during the night when they feed on plants. They have no interest in other insects unless otherwise feeling threatened. In these situations, they may utilize the spikes which can be seen on certain species or they may emanate foul-smelling chemicals from their glands to defend themselves against predators. And, even if they sustain an attack, stick insects possess the remarkable power to regenerate and grow back lost limbs.
Though undoubtedly freaky looking, stick insects should not cause any panic in those who encounter them. Nonetheless, despite their calm and harmless nature, they should still be approached with caution in order not to startle or make them feel threatened. But, in the end, their beautiful appearance, clever camouflage and unique movements are sure to make anyone stop and admire them.
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Exotic rainforest leafhopper shows off dazzling colors
Check out this leafhopper grooming itself while perched on a leaf. Filmed in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
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Spiny venomous caterpillars from Amazon rainforest in Ecuador
These pretty caterpillars were filmed in the upper Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Their bright colors (aposematic coloration) warn potential predators that they are unpalatable and have venomous spines. Check it out!
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Weevil Double-decker from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador
True Weevils, also called snout beetles or Curculionidae are one of the largest animal families with over 80,000 species described worldwide. They feed on plants with their long snout (rostrum), in many cases only living on a single species. Many weevils are damaging to crops, but others are used for biological control of invasive plants. These cute little fellows of the genus Peridinetus were filmed in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
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Long-legged weevil mimics fly to fool predators
This little weevil from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador mimics a flesh fly, which protects it from predators such as birds that do not waste time trying to catch what seems to be such a swift prey. Smart!
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Fly-mimicking weevil communicates by drumming with snout
This little Weevil from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador is about 5 mm in size and mimics a Flesh Fly, which protects it from predators such as birds because they do not waste time trying to catch what seems to be such swift prey.
As shown in this video, these Weevils communicate with their partners by drumming with the snout on a leaf. When two weevils reside on the same leaf they alternate in drumming. Vibrational communication is known from other insects, such as Treehoppers.
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Dazzling golden target tortoise beetle from Ecuador
Tortoise beetles owe their name to the carapace under which they can find shelter like a tortoise, with the difference that their carapace can open for flight. This species (Charidotis venusta) with a golden ring that looks like a target is from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
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Bright green orchid bees filmed in Ecuadorian rainforest
This footage from Jardín Botánico "Las Orquídeas" in Puyo, Ecuador shows orchid bees (metallic green) and eulaema (yellow, black and brown) collecting perfume from the tulip orchid in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. These orchids do not produce nectar to attract pollinators, but fragrances which are collected by male orchid bees in order to seduce females. The bees collect perfume with brushes on their forelegs and transfer it in flight via the middle legs to cavities on the enlarged hind legs.
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Little Jumping Spider from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest
This cute little Jumping spider in the family Salticidae was filmed in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. They do not build a web to trap insects, but jump on their prey and grab it with the jaws. They still produce silk for safety lines while jumping and also to build a tent as shelter from bad weather and to sleep at night. As most spiders they have four pairs of eyes, which give them a 360-degree view of the world. Their large frontal eyes are build like telescopes and provide them with very sharp vision. A mobile retina allows them to scan the object they are looking at.
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