About Program
On this Earthwatch Expedition, you’ll search the forests of Costa Rica for caterpillars and take specimens to the lab for state-of-the-art chemical analysis and observation. Prepare to be dazzled by the array of shapes and colors that caterpillars come in, most of which serve as natural defenses against their predators. You may even find a new species—it’s happened before.
Help scientists untangle the complex relationships between caterpillars, the plants they eat, the parasitoids that eat them, and the changes in climate that will reshape the rain forest. On this expedition, you will help preserve the complex, wondrous variety of plant and animal life while working with some surprisingly fascinating creatures.
Questions & Answers
Location
A pioneer of ecotourism, Costa Rica draws many tourists to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas. Costa Rica began reversing deforestation in the 1990s, and they are moving towards using only renewable energy. Head to the cloud forest, relax on the beautiful beaches, or visit a coffee farm.
