Photos / Sounds
What
Bonellia nervosaObserver
eolsonDescription
For years this has been a Jacquinia (J. pungens) in Theophrastaceae. Clearly though matters are in flux. The family is sunk into Primulaceae and Jacquinia sps included in genus Bonellia.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
On KH land in steep bank of 2nd quebrada. Called hormigo, tobaco, tobaco de montaña and more. Harbors ants (usually Pseudomyrmex) that tend scale insects inside the hollow stems. Coccidea, Hemiptera. The ants protect the plants
What
Northern Warrior Wasp (Synoeca septentrionalis)Observer
eolsonDescription
Large colony of the La Guitarra wasp, on a Bursera simarouba trunk, in quebrada right behind Instituto Margaret
What
Pachythone stratiObserver
eolsonDescription
At Finca Guadalupe nr Don Julio’s house, resting on gravel, flawless, recently eclosed? Tiny butterfly, at first glance thought it was a pyralid.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Sangregao o sangredrago, also called Sangrillo, ranges from Mexico to Costa Rica. Note shaggy bark and unusually circular flattened “pods” about 5cm diameter. Has blood-red sap, used medicinally on wounds. Flowers late Feb into March, green fruits appearing quickly after, late Feb on some trees even as flowering continues. Will harvest in March or when fruits are brown. Note: first brown disc-shaped “pods” (see 4th photo) collected from the ground beneath a tree today March 9th, 2024. Most are still green, scattered throughout the trees’ crowns.
Photos / Sounds
What
Köhler’s Vine Snake (Oxybelis koehleri)Observer
eolsonDescription
Oxybelis koehleri (not aeneus, research revealed a several species complex) A Brown Vine Snake just outside the house, Finca Mantis. Second photo is of the kind, “spot the snake?” 😉
Photos / Sounds
What
Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus)Observer
eolsonDescription
Blooming began in October 2023, still producing blooms in early February of 2024. On “back path” to La Planta house, near rickety bridge
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Aka Albizia guachapele, common name in Guanacaste is Cenízaro Macho, en Nicaragua algunos dicen Genízaro Blanco, otros Gavilán. Con flores al finales de Diciembre 2023 y primeras semanas de Enero, 2024. Brown flat pods with beige flat seeds produced from mid February into March, easily collected below the trees after strong winds.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Chiquirín. Relatively rare medium-sized trees observed in flower during January 2024. A few individuals, always spotted singly, along road to La Virgen and also to Ostional. Good sized individual across the street from Restaurant Tere in Escamequita. Reminder: on January 27 I observed over eight individuals in flower on the ascent up the new road to Tree Casa. Note that leaves carry fine lineations scattered throughout, visible with a hand lens (photo #4). Fruits (photo #5) are samaras on tree late March, mostly green, some turning brown.
What
Pariparoba (Piper umbellatum)Observer
eolsonDescription
Piper sp. shrub in dry forest understory near moist gully, crushed foliage very fragrant anise odor reminds me of Brasso Silver Polish!
Photos / Sounds
What
Frigga pratensisObserver
eolsonDescription
Female (or juvenile male?) on Maracuya vine, Finca Mantis
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Four life stages shown, all the same individual. Reared from an egg, egg found at tip of long tendril of a Passiflora edulis vine, Finca Mantis, same location as photos.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mucuna holtoniiObserver
eolsonDescription
10 KM west of Colon, Nicaragua, a few hundred meters from the shore of Lake Nicaragua. Bat pollinated wet-forest vine, seeds are very hard, sometimes found on tropical beaches and known as ojo de buey, ox eyes, sea beans, hamburger beans, drift seeds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens)Observer
eolsonDescription
Fast growing sprawling vine infamous for irritating trichomes on pods. Bordering driveway near house, Finca Mantis, Barrio Container. Also covering Antonia’s property.
What
Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (Heraclides anchisiades)Observer
eolsonDescription
On Citrus sp. Papilio anchisiades = H. anchisiades larvae cluster low on trunk during the day, feed at night. Finca Mantis.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Climbing vine, very thin wire-like stem, fascinating flower design. Apocynaceae makes sense, hoping the iNat community can get to species.
Photos / Sounds
What
Phidippus bidentatusObserver
eolsonDescription
Species first proposed by iNaturalist, P. fartalis, I don’t recall the males have such ornamented pedipalps, and are larger than this when adult. We’ll see what the community thinks. In Maracuya vine, Ena’s fence, residencial district San Juan del Sur Nicaragua. Update: spider expert recommended by a friend ID’ed it as juvenile P. bidentatus
Photos / Sounds
Observer
eolsonDescription
Found moving slowly on front stoop today of our house in Barrio La Planta. Later info proved this to be female of Megasoma elephas.
What
Crêpe Ginger (Hellenia speciosa)Observer
eolsonDescription
From Wikipedia: Cheilocostus speciosus, or crêpe ginger, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae. Some botanists have now revived the synonym Hellenia speciosa.
What
Pied Harvestmen (Family Cosmetidae)Observer
eolsonDescription
Several of these patterned opiliones found in a cluster, resting on soil, below wood boards.
What
Grass Skippers (Subfamily Hesperiinae)Observer
eolsonDescription
Large (~ 45 mm) hesperid caterpillar feeding on Crepe Ginger (host plant = Cheilocostus speciosus)