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Late in the day we finally arrived at the home of Edgar and Virginia Corrales, located east of La Virgin. We quickly unpacked the truck as it was beginning to rain and the film crew set up their equipment for continued work. The stimulus for this film was a 15-minute piece produced by Beat Clogger, a freelancer and correspondent in Costa Rica for Swiss television. He had worked with Joris on this film and was now working with the German crew on a longer version.
Darkness fell quickly after arrival, a slow drizzle falling on the corrugated metal roof. Because there were to be eight houseguests that night, Virginia’s sister and niece had come to spend a few days helping feed the crowd. The crew filmed Joris’ arrival and chat with Edgar in the front room while the rest of us had to sit tight and not make a sound.
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To run the lights needed to film, Joris had brought along a generator normally used for frequent blackouts at CRES. This was great since there was no electricity for miles and it gave me an opportunity to set up a mercury-vapor light to attract insects for one night. This lizard nearby probably did not get a good night’s sleep. It was pretty quiet bug-wise, probably due to the rain. The few things that did come in are pictured here. |
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The next day was mostly spent with more filming but I took a few photos around the house. Not more than 20 feet from the house I found this coral snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus) beneath a decaying log. There had been discussion that I might be included in the video but in the end, all I did was wrangle a tarantula. The closing shot was of Edgar headed to CRES on his motorcycle to deliver pupae for export.
Joris and the girls left mid-afternoon and the film crew finally wrapped as the sun was going down. That was my first evening to begin to know the family—a real treat. I would stay until Saturday morning.
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Edgar’s property includes about 80 hectares of primary forest. Much of the surrounding area has been cleared for cattle. Secondary forest is being maintained where possible. Edgar and his brothers who live nearby are committed to keeping the remaining forest intact and hope that butterfly farming will provide the income to do so. |
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The house is simple but constructed of hardwood that would cost a fortune in the US. There are two small bedrooms used by the family of six. This open dining area served as the sleeping area for guests, be they one or eight. And occasionally other guests like this roach that spent the day on the underside of the window frame. |
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Costa Rica basically shuts down on Thursday and Friday of Semana Santa. This is a time when families visit each other and it was no exception at the Corrales’ home. Some dropped by to visit on the porch a while, others to visit and swim in the river, about a ten-minute walk from the house. |
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Blaberus giganteus |
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One of the reasons why Edgar’s place was chosen for the film is that he is currently battling a viral problem, resulting in very few pupae produced. While there, Joris made a couple of slide mounts to send to the States for ID, also part of the film. Edgar and I discussed his situation and how he could improve his production. My feeling was that his vivero is too shaded by plant growth around and on the fabric. As such, there is little ventilation or light. Up until this time, he had not been using a bleach solution but while I was there, he started to and immediately began seeing the results of disinfecting his cages and equipment. Unsealed wooden cages in a near 100% humidity is a great habitat in which to culture pathogens.
Next page
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