The Amazon hides a vibrant universe that only wakes up at night
In short: Most of our world is hidden in plain sight, masked by camouflage and the limitations of human vision. By venturing into the pitch darkness of the rainforest with specialized lighting, researchers are uncovering an electric ecosystem of shapeshifting insects that remain invisible to most observers.
Artistic entomologist Leo Lanna and designer Lvcas Fiat are pioneering a new way to document the biodiversity of South America's rainforests. Through their organization, Projeto Mantis, they combine rigorous scientific research with art, photography, and poetry to explore the 'micro-world' of praying mantises. Their work spans from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest to the Peruvian Amazon, aiming to make these little-researched species visible to a global audience.
A key component of this exploration is the transition from day to night. Lanna argues that limiting human observation to daylight means seeing only about 50 percent of what exists in our world. In the darkness, creatures that rely on daytime camouflage become easier to spot with flashlights. Mantises, for instance, often shift their poses at night, casting shadows against greenery that cause their distinct shapes to 'pop' against the foliage.
The project also utilizes technology to reveal hidden biological realities. By using ultraviolet (UV) light, Lanna can expose an electric ecosystem of flora and fauna that is normally invisible to the naked eye. This multi-sensory approach—incorporating sounds, drawings, and interviews—is being packaged into a 'time capsule' experience designed to immerse people in the labyrinthine complexity of the tropical wilderness.
Lanna’s methodology emphasizes deep intimacy with his subjects; he houses between 50 and 200 mantises at a time in his laboratory-living room, nurturing them until their natural deaths. He suggests that conquering the fear of the unknown is essential for scientific breakthrough, asserting that without the courage to face what is hidden, we lose the ability to experience true wonder.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Colorful, Shapeshifting Wonder of the Amazon's Praying Mantises | Leo Lanna and Lvcas Fiat | TED
- Also: Leo Lanna | Speaker | TED
- Also: Leo Lanna: Uncovering insect mysteries in the dark rainforest
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