Discover Philippine Arhtropods

A living archive of the Philippines’ insect and arachnid biodiversity — built by researchers, for everyone.

About us

PhilArthropods is a digital initiative dedicated to showcasing the rich arthropod biodiversity of the Philippines. Our mission is to make verified arthropod data accessible to scholars, students, and conservationists — bridging science and discovery.

Documenting the Diversity That Defines Us

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Our vision

We envision a world where biodiversity awareness inspires protection of our ecosystems and fosters collaboration among researchers, students, and nature advocates.

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Documented species

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Curiosity inspired

Our mission

Document Philippine Biodiversity

Build a comprehensive visual and scientific record of arthropods across the Philippine islands.

Promote Research Collaboration

Inspire Science Education

Support Conservation Efforts

Foster Citizen Participation

Thomisidae Tactician: The Flower-Lurking Crab Spider — Perched on a vibrant red flower bud, this crab spider—belonging to the family Thomisidae—exemplifies ambush predation. With its wide-set, forward-extending legs and pale body patterned with brown markings, it mimics the curves and colors of floral structures to remain undetected. Crab spiders are sit-and-wait hunters, often choosing blooms as strategic stations where they snatch unsuspecting pollinators with lightning reflexes. Quiet yet cunning, this species blends beauty with stealth.

Tessaratomid Bug Nymph on Leaf — This image captures a vividly colored Tessaratomid bug nymph perched on a green leaf. Its body glows with a palette of yellow, pink, and red, accented by bold black markings and red-tipped legs and antennae. These brilliant hues are a fleeting feature of its juvenile stage—over time, the nymph will molt into deeper, more muted tones as it matures.

Great Orange Tip Butterfly on Pachystachys — This striking image captures a rare moment: a Great Orange Tip butterfly (Hebomoia glaucippe) calmly nectaring on a vibrant red Pachystachys flower. Known for their quick, darting flights through the forest understory, these butterflies are seldom seen at rest. With wings partially open, the butterfly reveals its bold orange and black tips—an eye-catching contrast against the lush green foliage.

Orb-Weaver Spider (Family Araneidae): The Petal Sentinel — Suspended upside down on a vivid pink flower petal, this orb-weaver spider blends cryptic posture with strategic placement. Its light brown abdomen and darker legs suggest a species adapted for ambush, using floral camouflage to surprise pollinators. Orb-weavers are known for their intricate web architecture, but some—like this one—prefer stealth over silk, waiting motionless until prey approaches. The juxtaposition of its earthy tones against the saturated bloom highlights nature’s balance of beauty and predation.

Golden Orb-Weaver and Her Diminutive Mate — A striking female Nephila pilipes Fabricius dominates the web, her glossy black legs and golden pattern commanding the scene. Nearby, a male—nearly invisible in comparison—is a mere fraction of her size. This dramatic size gap isn’t just visual flair; it plays into their mating dance. Smaller males excel at bridging, a form of locomotion where their tiny frames become an advantage in spanning gaps, allowing them to reach receptive females with nimble precision. Nature’s balancing act of beauty, strategy, and survival unfolds strand by silky strand.

Pyrrhocoridae sp.: Red Bugs in Bloom — Nestled on the vivid blossoms of Strongylodon juangonzalezii—JC’s Vine—these red bugs from the family Pyrrhocoridae showcase their ecological versatility. With their bold crimson bodies and black appendages, they’re often mistaken for beetles, but their piercing-sucking mouthparts reveal their true identity as true bugs. Some individuals sip nectar, while others target the wilting inflorescences, extracting plant juices rich in sugars and nutrients. Their presence highlights the vine’s role as a microhabitat, supporting diverse feeding strategies and contributing to the intricate web of interactions at Masungi Georeserve.

Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus sp.): The Jewel Raider of Solitary Nests — Perched atop a vibrant red flower, this striking black-and-blue striped bee from the genus Thyreus is a classic example of brood parasitism. Like its avian namesake, the cuckoo bird, this cuckoo bee lays its eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, such as Amegilla or Xylocopa. Once inside, the Thyreus larva consumes the host’s pollen provisions—and sometimes the host larva itself. Unlike pollen-collecting bees, Thyreus species lack scopa (pollen-carrying hairs), reflecting their parasitic lifestyle. Their dazzling coloration may serve as mimicry or aposematism, but their true brilliance lies in their evolutionary strategy: survival by stealth.

Huntsman Spider (Possibly Heteropoda sp.): The Egg-Sac Sentinel of the Understory — This orange-brown huntsman spider, likely from the genus Heteropoda, is seen guarding her silken egg sac—a behavior that exemplifies maternal care among arachnids. Huntsman mothers not only construct and guard their egg sacs but also open them when the spiderlings are ready to emerge, ensuring a safe transition into the world. After hatching, the mother often remains nearby to protect her young from predators and environmental threats. This behavior, though rarely observed, highlights the complex parental instincts of spiders often misunderstood as solitary and indifferent.

Asiatic Honeybee (Apis cerana) on Garden Bloom: The Pollination Partner Behind Every Third Bite — Nestled inside a vibrant yellow flower, this Asiatic Honeybee (Apis cerana) is actively collecting pollen—its legs dusted with golden grains as it brushes past the stamens. Native to Southeast Asia and well-adapted to tropical climates, A. cerana is a cornerstone of local pollination networks, supporting crops like mango, coconut, and pigeon pea. Studies show that bees like this contribute to the production of at least one-third of the food we consume, from fruits and vegetables to nuts and seeds. In the Philippines, initiatives like the UPLB Bee Program and regional meliponiculture efforts promote native beekeeping, ecological awareness, and sustainable livelihoods. Every visit from a bee is not just a moment of beauty—it’s a quiet act of food security.

Passionvine Hopper Mimicking a Fallen Flower — Resting on a leaf, this passionvine hopper (Scolypopa cf. aeneomicans) masterfully mimics a fallen flower. Its vibrant pink, petal-like waxy filaments and compact body create a near-perfect floral illusion. If not for its tiny legs peeking out, it could easily be mistaken for botanical debris—a brilliant disguise that helps it evade predators in plain sight.

Caseworm Building Its Stick Hut — This image shows a caseworm, likely from the Psychidae family (Cryptothelea sp.?), crafting its protective case from small twigs. Resting on a metallic surface, the larva’s portable shelter is built in layers—each new set of sticks slightly larger than the last to accommodate its growing body. This architectural behavior is both functional and fascinating, showcasing nature’s instinctive engineering.

Brown Pansy (Junonia hedonia): The Straw-Mouthed Herbivore of Sunny Blooms — Perched on a cluster of vibrant pink and orange flowers, this Brown Pansy (Junonia hedonia) is a member of the family Nymphalidae, known for its broad wings, earth-toned patterns, and adaptive feeding behavior. Using its proboscis—a straw-like mouthpart—it extracts sugar-rich nectar from a variety of flowering plants. Found in both urban gardens and open fields across the Philippines, this butterfly is a generalist herbivore, with larvae feeding on plants from families like Acanthaceae and Plantaginaceae. Its tolerance for disturbed habitats and sunny conditions makes it a frequent sight during dry spells and midday hours, fluttering low and resting often.

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Cicada with Rain-Kissed Exoskeleton

Perched on a leaf glistening with raindrops, this cicada showcases the brilliance of its reddish-brown exoskeleton and delicate, veined wings. The wax-coated […]

Tessaratomid Bug Nymph on Leaf

This image captures a vividly colored Tessaratomid bug nymph perched on a green leaf. Its body glows with a palette of yellow, […]

Camouflaged Click Beetle on Tree Bark

This image shows a click beetle expertly concealed against the rugged surface of a log. Its body mimics the bark’s texture and […]

Japanese Giant Weevil on a Log Surface

This image features a Japanese giant weevil (Sipalinus gigas) navigating the coarse bark of a log. Its prominent snout is adapted for […]