Tropical Caterpillars of Pavones, Costa Rica: Insect Photo Essay

Photos: Barry Donaldson

Local surf photographer Barry Donaldson captured these images during the past rainy season in Pavones, Costa Rica.

What are caterpillars good for?

"Decomposition of litter, pollination, suppression of plant growth, and serving as prey for carnivores", writes Jeff Miller, Professor of Entomology at Oregon State University, and co-author of the beautiful book 100 Caterpillars: Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica.

Miller writes that caterpillars generally serve 3 functions (before they become butterflies and moths):

1. Exploiters -- as herbivores, predators or parasites;
2. Providers -- of food, as hosts to parasites or dinner for predators;
3. Facilitators -- of pollination, the transportation of organisms, and the spread of pathogens which control species reproduction.

Barry Donaldson is available for private surf photography sessions and can be reached at PavonesSurfPhotos@gmail.com

You may also want to see:

• Pavones Wildlife Turtle Lays Eggs (video)
• Professional Wildlife Photography in Pavones
• 10 Questions for the Bird Man of Pavones
• A Walk on the Beach with Andy (video)

A photo portrait of tropical caterpillars of Pavones, Costa Rica, by Barry Donaldson.