jasm
New Aurelian
Posts: 16
|
Post by jasm on Mar 9, 2021 14:36:59 GMT
Hello everyone,
I’m hoping I’ll be able to take a collecting trip sometime next summer (2022). I’ve got a few questions for anyone who can give me some advice:
1) Where should I go? I’ve pretty much solidified that I’d like to go to South America. I’m really interested in the Riodinidae/Lycaenidae down there, as well as seeing some Morphos. Any specific countries?
2) Should I do my trip with a company, or get all the permits etc by myself (I’m heavily leaning towards using a service such as Amazon Insects).
I’ve always hoped to take a trip like this and my goal is both to see and to collect some awesome butterflies.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul K on Mar 10, 2021 3:42:37 GMT
Definitely use a company and Amazon Insects out of Peru is verified as to be good although not cheap. French Guiana is the easiest to get permits if travel alone. Other South American countries very difficult unless you know someone who can get a permit thru scientific institution.
|
|
wolf
Aurelian
Posts: 132
Country: Norway
|
Post by wolf on Mar 10, 2021 16:07:51 GMT
While visiting Peru back in 2009, me and my family did a guided 4 day trip to Tingo Maria with Amazon Insects. Manuel was very nice, professional and made sure we were safe the whole trip. He also provided export permits. Can recommend.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Mar 11, 2021 9:17:18 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Mar 11, 2021 9:30:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Mar 11, 2021 10:00:06 GMT
|
|
jasm
New Aurelian
Posts: 16
|
Post by jasm on Mar 12, 2021 17:07:29 GMT
Thanks to you all... that information is really helpful!
Would Manuel’s email still be amazoninsects@gmail.com as shown on the website? I emailed last Monday asking if he was still operating with the pandemic and all, but haven’t gotten a response... not sure if I have the wrong email, or if he just takes a bit to respond.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Mar 12, 2021 17:46:02 GMT
Before the pandemic, I met Manuel Miranda every year during the Juvisy entomological fair near Paris. He is very nice and I have always had good feedback on the entomological trips he organizes in Peru. The email address I have is the one you indicate. If he does not respond, it is probably moving in a forest area with no network coverage. Now it is certain that with covid-19 its activity must be reduced. If you opt for Colombia (very rich in butterflies), I highly recommend the guide indicated with the link cited in my previous email. Myself, I frequented Peru and even more Colombia: the two countries are extremely interesting on the lepidopteric plan. That said, the country where we meet the most Morpho is French Guyana: 9 species (less diversity than in Peru and Colombia, but a much greater abundance - for Morpho! -, without comparison!). And also, many Riodinidae species. By the way, if you want observe Riodinidae, you must use a bait of rotten fish or shrimps : just drop the liquid on leaves (in the sun) and wait a little ! But be careful not to overfill the bottle which, with the heat and the fermentation, could explode! And above all, do not spill the liquid in the car ... Another little reminder and advice: to attract Morpho, you need blue or orange lures (depending on the species). As soon as possible, I return to Guyana and Colombia!  |
|
wolf
Aurelian
Posts: 132
Country: Norway
|
Post by wolf on Mar 14, 2021 21:23:10 GMT
As soon as possible, I return to Guyana and Colombia! How is it safety wise in Colombia, compared to French Guyana, Peru or other South American countries? Ever experienced trouble or dangerous encounters? |
|
|
|
Post by jmg on Mar 15, 2021 19:01:00 GMT
The interest of traveling with a local guide (in Colombia, for example, but also elsewhere), it is not only to be able to quickly visit the interesting biotopes, but also to avoid the dangerous zones (banditry, narcos, paramilitary groups, militias, rotten police). Personally, I have never had any serious problems, only minor problems with corrupt police officers in Guatemala  . In Colombia, friends ran into a guerrilla patrol (FARC); finally, everything was arranged! Better the guerrillas than the paramilitaries and the drug dealers ! in French Guyana, I travel without a guide, knowing the country well and knowing where and how to avoid illegal Brazilian gold miners! An example of the benefit of traveling with a knowledgeable guide: on my last trip to Colombia, our car broke down on an isolated mountain track. Fortunately, the guide knew who to call to claim insurance and have a tow truck come. It was nevertheless necessary to wait 5 or 6 hours for the arrival of this repair in the middle of the night and at altitude (it was really cold!). Another example, still in Colombia: our little boat overturned in a tributary of the Amazon. Luckily, the guide knew who to call to organize things so as not to miss Leticia's plane to Bogota the next day.  The car (Choco Mountains near San Jose del Palmar):  The shipwreck and engine out of order, the guide with the plaid shirt (rio Amacayacu, Amazonas):  The rio Amacayacu is excellent for butterfly watching; see this page : collector-secret.proboards.com/thread/3440/baeotus-deucalion-male-female-colour  |
|
|
|
Post by neominois on Apr 2, 2021 21:02:49 GMT
I can say with 100% certainty that going with Amazon Insects and Manuel Miranda is the way to go. I've gone with him twice, once in 2016 and once in 2019. Back in 2016 I took my 15 year old daughter and everything was awesome. In 2019 I took 18 college students and Manuel made sure everyone was taken care of. I strongly recommend him.  Manuel, me, and my daughter in Satipo Peru  Collecting in Satipo Peru  Me and a Caligo friend in Satipo |
|
Orniligol
New Aurelian
Posts: 1 
Country: Poland
|
Post by Orniligol on Dec 6, 2021 11:04:06 GMT
At the beginning of November this year, my wife and I were in Peru. We spent a week of vacation collecting butterflies near the town of Tingo Maria, and our guide and organizer was Manuel Miranda. It was my first collecting trip to a country with a tropical climate and a lepidopterafauna so different from the European one. Manuel's services were top notch. Even when the weather did not allow running with the net, our guide took care of organizing other attractions for us. A wonderful, unforgettable adventure that I heartily recommend!
  |
|
. In Colombia, friends ran into a guerrilla patrol (FARC); finally, everything was arranged! Better the guerrillas than the paramilitaries and the drug dealers ! in French Guyana, I travel without a guide, knowing the country well and knowing where and how to avoid illegal Brazilian gold miners! 
