Amazon invertebrates come in an incredible range of sizes, features and degrees of annoyance.
Random snapshots of this huge group of species will reveal the fiery rhinoceros beetle, the beautiful morpho butterfly and one of the world’s largest cockroaches.
Invertebrates, including insects, represent a disproportionately large share of species found in the Amazon - and more are being discovered all the time.
Some scientists estimate that 30% of the animal biomass of the Amazon Basin is made up of ants1. Ants can easily outweigh in mass all other vertebrates in a parcel of lowland rainforest. In fact, just the total arthropod species richness of the tropical canopy may be as high as 20 million2.
Leaf-cutter ants live in massive colonies – sometimes reaching three million – and build gigantic hills for their homes. These are equivalent to huge housing complexes, often reaching more than 9 m across and more than 6 m deep, with multiple entrances.4
Invertebrates, including insects, represent a disproportionately large share of species found in the Amazon - and more are being discovered all the time.
Some scientists estimate that 30% of the animal biomass of the Amazon Basin is made up of ants1. Ants can easily outweigh in mass all other vertebrates in a parcel of lowland rainforest. In fact, just the total arthropod species richness of the tropical canopy may be as high as 20 million2.
Leaf-cutter ants (Atta species)
With their massive jaws, strong enough to pierce human skin, leaf-cutter ants are well equipped to tear away at vegetation. Not surprisingly, they have the distinction of being the primary consumer of vegetation in the Amazon rainforests, where their actions remove 15% of leaf production3.Leaf-cutter ants live in massive colonies – sometimes reaching three million – and build gigantic hills for their homes. These are equivalent to huge housing complexes, often reaching more than 9 m across and more than 6 m deep, with multiple entrances.4
