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Striped Anole, Displaying

April 23, 2012 | Arikok National Park, Aruba

The Striped Anole, Anolis lineatus, was probably the species of lizard I most encountered in Aruba. I assume the common and scientific names refer to those dark broken lateral stripes, but it’s known locally as Waltaka.

Here’s another one, a female perhaps.

Female? Or a young male?

My earlier post of the lizard on a tree is also one.

After a good bit of googling, I came across a good free resource on the reptiles and amphibians of Aruba, link below.

Reference:

Amphibians and Reptiles of Aruba
by R. Andrew Odum
PDF hosted at WildAruba read more

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Leafhoppers, displaying

4mm | January 21, 2011 | Finca La Isla, Limon Province, Costa Rica

Some leafhoppers (family Cicadellidae) spread their wings in the manner shown above, perhaps as part of some mating ritual.

Reference:

[book:1554073456]

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Cockroach Mating Call

5cm | January 19, 2011 | Armonia Nature Preserve, Limon Province, Costa Rica

I found this impressively large two inch long cockroach just like this, sticking out its abdomen from the side of a creek bank after dark. I found the behavior odd, and I suspected that it might be releasing pheromones to attract a mate. I really had no idea if cockroaches did that or not. After some recent reading, that does appear to be part of the courtship ritual. To initiate courtship, a female will call nearby males in this manner. Presumably then, this is a female.

A while later, I managed to catch her in a different pose. read more

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