Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
insects with long filamentous tails. They include the blues and hairstreak
butterflies.
Moths are more numerous than butterflies. The largest moth, the Atlas moth
has a wingspan of nearly 10 in (254 mm). Most moths are active at night; however,
swallowtail moths are active during the day. Other moths include hawk moths,
sphinx moths, and hornworms. Hawk moths are medium- to large-size moths.
They have narrow wings and thin abdomens adapted for rapid flight. These moths
are some of the fastest-flying insects, capable of flying at more than 30 mph (50
kph). They have wingspans of 1.5-6 in (35-150 mm). Hawk moths are noted for
their flying ability, especially their ability to move rapidly from side to side while
hovering.
Stick and leaf insects are abundant in the Asian-Pacific rainforest. Stick insects
have long bodies and small limbs and closely resemble twigs. Most stick insects
can fly, although their wings remain tightly folded over their abdomen and invisi-
ble when at rest. The largest stick insect measured, with a length of more than 12 in
(300 mm), is from Borneo. Leaf insects are fatter and flatter than stick insects and
look like leaves. Their bodies range from green to brown. Their legs are flattened,
with leaf-like lobes that blend in with tree leaves. Stick and leaf insects are primar-
ily nocturnal. They avoid detection during the day by remaining still. Although
immobile and silent during the day, they are active at night as they feed on leaves.
Mantids also resemble leaves and sticks but for different reasons. While stick
insects use camouflage to avoid predation, the mantids use camouflage to avoid
detection by the prey they seek to capture. They lie in wait to ambush an unsus-
pecting insect. The orchid mantis's coloration and appearance blends in with the
flower petals of a dendrobium orchid, where it lies in wait for any unsuspecting
butterfly that happens to visit the flower. Other mantids look like decaying leaves.
The dead-leaf mantis rests among the leaf litter on the forest floor until it spots its
desired victim.
As in other rainforests, termites are abundant throughout the Asian Pacific and
are the major decomposers of the rainforests. Damp wood termites feed mainly in
fallen trees. This family of termites probably originated in this region. The majority
of termites in the forest are in the higher termite family. Both soil-feeding and
wood-feeding termites belong to this family. Most live in nests on the forest floor
or underground, although some make nests in the trees. A few species are called
processional termites and travel in ant-like columns carrying their food the way
leaf-cutter ants do. Estimates of termite abundance exceed 1,000 individuals per
square yard. In addition to playing a major role in the decomposition of fallen
wood and recycling of nutrients, termites are a major source of food for pangolins,
echidnas, shrews, and sun bears and sloth bears.
The Asian-Pacific rainforest has numerous ant species. In fact, on Mount Kina-
balu on the island of Borneo, 640 different species of ants have been identified in
just a few acres of forest. Red tree ants and fire ants are fierce defenders of the nest.
They will quickly swarm an intruder delivering powerful bites. The giant forest ant
