Day 08 - Maya Center

 The following morning we headed to Cabbage Haul Creek to sample, which required a little bit of hiking through the denser part of the jungle to reach. Quite a few of us collected mosquito and no-see-um bites as we sampled for insects here. Aquatic nets were the most efficient at capturing aquatic bugs, and aerial nets were great for nabbing up butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies near the bank.

Sampling with sweep nets

Checking out some insects along the bank

Dr. Bundy shows off a river crab

We stopped by Julio's chocolate factory in the afternoon. Julio guided us through his process of creating delicious chocolate and coffee straight from the harvested bean to the finished product. We enjoyed sampling a variety of chocolate (milk, 80% dark and coffee) and were quick to purchase some for immediate consumption and as gifts for friends and family.

Che'il, meaning "wild Mayan", tributes to the Mayan ways of using cacao

Kimo grinding cacao nibs on a Mayan grinding stone

Later, we stopped by the Maya Center Woman's Gift Shop, which boasts a variety of beautiful hand-made Mayan crafts for purchase.

Our evening was spent checking out the black light traps for more insects, and we weren't disappointed! Brittny snapped photos of the more impressive and colorful insects we discovered, such as these moths:

At some point someone found a tiny snake!

Too small to take a nip at us, fortunately!

More updates to come...

Day 07 - Maya Center

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Mel and Tobacco Caye and hitched a boat ride back to Dangriga. Next, we played an expert-level of suitcase Tetris to fit all our luggage into Julio's van. Our next destination: Maya Center Village!

Mel and the crew (we might have had the sun in our eyes..)

Veronica and Kimo are pretty impressed!

Nuuk Chiel Cottages

Once we were settled in, we scoped out a small trail around the area for good sites to lay out pan traps and a dark light trap. Ernesto then escorted us to his cacao orchard and taught us all the ins and outs of cacao farming for organic chocolate production. We collected insects with sweep and beat nets along the way, of course.

Ernesto, showing us his cacao orchard

Inside the cacao fruit. The white flesh is edible and sweet, but encases a very bitter cocoa bean.

Cultivated cacao beans laid out to dry.

Later that night, we checked our black light traps. We saw significantly more insects drawn to the trap than we did at Tobacco Caye and the Trek Stop. Some of our best finds was a large scarab beetle, an intimidating triatomid (known as the blood-feeding kissing bug) and a multitude of colorful and unusual moths. A tarantula was discovered nearby, hiding in its den.

Tons of flying insects are drawn to the light.

A large scarab beetle.

A tarantula, which quickly withdrew to its shelter.

Next time: Julio shows us how he transforms his roasted organic cacao beans into all-natural, delicious chocolate at his factory! Check back soon!

Day 03 - ATM Cave

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, near San Ignacio, is a significant Mayan archeological site containing artifacts and even Mayan remains within its depths. We swam, waded, squeezed past tight formations and climbed to reach various hidden chambers. Unfortunately, cameras are no longer allowed within the cave in order to best preserve the integrity of this historical site. If you'd like to learn more about the history of ATM cave, take a virtual tour here with our guide Emile.

Here's an awkward group shot of us geared up before entering the cave:

After we got back and ate, we checked the black light traps again. Wolf spiders were a very common occurrence at night! They're big, they've got voracious appetites, and it's almost endearing to spot a female with her many babies hitching a ride...

 

A wolf spider feasting on its kin.

This female wolf spider carries her young on her abdomen.

This expectant mother decided to spend the night inside our dorm...

Day 02 - Sampling along the river and the butterfly pavilion (Part 1)

Today we woke up bright and early and headed down the Mopan river bank to sample. We brought beat nets, sweep nets, aquatic nets, and aerial nets... the whole works. It was the perfect environment to find a variety of insects.

The river bank.

(L to R) Our guide Kimo, with Dr. Scott Bundy, Tiffany and Danielle shifting through samples.

Great view!

Walking down the trail, L to R: Brittny, Tiffany, and Helen

Kolene (L) and Brittny (R) wading into the waters.

We got crabs!

Next, we stopped by the butterfly sanctuary nearby. A variety of local butterflies are reared here, such as the stunning Blue Morpho, Monarch and Parides butterflies.

The butterfly sanctuary.

A Grey Cracker

An owl butterfly. What beautiful eyespots!

A Cloudless Sulfur butterfly

Phil holding one of the butterflies.

Owl butterfly larvae.

A Queen caterpillar.

To be continued.... Xunantunich!

Day 01 - Continued... checking out the light trap!

Dusk came, and we explored the camp area and set up our black light traps. The black lights served its purpose, with pretty great results! Many insects including leafhoppers and moths swarmed the light as soon as night fell. Some uncommon visitors included a dobsonfly and the occasional mantis.

Crowding around the light trap we set up.

A praying mantis is attracted to the insects and lights.

A large katydid surrounded by various other critters.

A friendly toad crossed our path!

A large female wolf spider prowls at night (their eyes reflect the light!)