Daniel Janzen's obsession with insects began after a severe injury in Costa Rica, which forced him to observe the vibrant and diverse ecosystem surrounding him. Confined to a rocking chair for a month, he witnessed the rich tapestry of life in the rainforest, including the mesmerizing nightly spectacle of insects attracted to light. This profound experience inspired him to document the incredible diversity of insect species, culminating in his first significant photographic record in 1978, which identified approximately 3,000 different species.
In front of him was a world seething with life. Every branch of every tree seemed to host its own small metropolis of creatures hunting, flying, crawling, eating.
For two hours each evening, the site got power and a 25-watt bulb flickered on above the porch, causing a tornado of insects to flock to its glow.
He decided to erect a sheet for a light trap with a camera, a common way to document flying insect numbers and diversity.
In a photograph of one taken in 1978, about 3,000 species were identified, showcasing the rich biodiversity present at the research site.
Collection
[
|
...
]