It’s that time of year again…now that rainy season is in full swing, signs of life begin to emerge.   We inaugurate the  new “winter” season in El Salvador – which compares more to spring in temperate climates, with plants bursting green everywhere  – with a visit from some friends who emerged from the foliage. I [...]

Ok, I am an insect gweeb – who knew?   After years of yardless urban living in New England, now that I have a yard/garden, and in El Salvador to boot, I’ve become fascinated with “critters”.  I was sitting at the patio yesterday, and decided to check in on the chile plant.  We planted several types, [...]

Moments after I see a passion vine hopper nymph (curious insect with a fluffy white tail), on the same plant I spot a multi-colored leaf-hopper.   I’d seen small green leaf-hoppers in the past.   They have a funny v-shaped physique, with the bulk of their body at their head and shoulders, narrowing out smaller part towards [...]

This not-so-little friend was walking along the wall of the back patio one night, not long after I had first moved to El Salvador.  I called out to my husband, who immediately grabbed the broom.  In a dramatic moment, I saved Spidey’s life: “Run, Spider, Run!” I yelled.  He escaped just before the broom slammed [...]

Just one more discovery in the world of strange insects in El Salvador.  It was resting on the wall of our bedroom and apparently had died a quiet death.  Since it was so darn big, I decided to document it with my niece Carmen, taking out the tape measure to illustrate.  Nearly 3 inches long [...]

Two multi-horned spiders, red and white.   Seen in Los Planes de Renderos, El Salvador, October 9, 2010.  Looks like “Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)”  per photos on BugGuide.net. See more at the Wonderful World of Insects in El Salvador Photo Gallery. ( CLICK to enlarge )

Large orange and brown butterfly with white spot on each wing.   Los Planes de Renderos, El Salvador, September 24, 2010. See more at the Wonderful World of Insects in El Salvador Photo Gallery.

It all started on the patio in September 2010 during rainy season,  Los Planes de Renderos, El Salvador.    My friend was visiting when I noticed something on the floor. “Gee what is that?” I said to her.  “Wow, es un gran animal!” she said (it’s a big ‘animal’).    Holey Toledo, he IS big!   Look at [...]

It occurred to me a couple days ago, when I was suddenly aware of dead silence.  Ah, that’s what it is, I thought – the Cicadas have stopped singing.  Initially only morning and later afternoon, but as time went on they sang all day long, deafening at times. They sing throughout El Salvador for about [...]

Cicadas* are singing in Los Planes de Renderos.  Depending in which ‘microclimate’ you live, you can hear these or other ‘singing bugs’ certain times of the year.   They were singing when we returned from Chalatenango a few days ago, and have continued their evening and morning song since. Photo by Claudia Zelayandia on Flickr. * [...]

Click a photo of one of our lovely insects in El Salvador to read more…   … … ……more to come … … … … … … … … …

Yep.  Now I’ve seen it all.  Grasshoppers that look like leaves, Gigantic Orange Grasshoppers with lobster necks, crazy creepy crawly things, and now this.  Found in my kitchen in El Salvador, I have no idea what nature’s purpose is for this glass moth, but take a look:

The Mountaintop Rain forest is a continuous wonder in El Salvador.  Periwinkle weeds grew everywhere last September during rainy season, and the glass butterfy loves them.  Click thumb for larger pic: See more at the Wonderful World of Insects in El Salvador Photo Gallery.

See more at the Wonderful World of Insects in El Salvador Photo Gallery.