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Hunting for Caterpillars in the Chiricahuas

Surrounded by the Arizona desert, the Chiricahua Mountains host a unique array of caterpillar and plant species in a riverside forest. As in other forest habitats, these caterpillars have developed defense mechanisms and survival strategies to fend off parasites and feast on host plants. These tactics include doing back flips from one leaf to another when faced with a predator, and actually altering their chemical make-up so they're no longer a tasty dinner. The relationships between predator and prey are complex, and sometimes it can be tough to distinguish between diner and dinner. To examine how these intricate relationships are… more

Hunting for Caterpillars in the Chiricahuas

Surrounded by the Arizona desert, the Chiricahua Mountains host a unique array of caterpillar and plant species in a riverside forest. As in other forest habitats, these caterpillars have developed defense mechanisms and survival strategies to fend off parasites and feast on host plants. These tactics include doing back flips from one leaf to another when faced with a predator,… more

Trip at-a-glance

Price: From $2,149* per person
Lodging: all_inclusive
When: July, August, December
Number of days: 11
Group size: 12

This trip is offered by:

Earthwatch Institute

Call them at 800-776-0188 about this trip and mention you saw it at TravelDragon, or contact them.

Trip details

Most of your days will be spent searching for caterpillars and their host plants. You'll also spend time back at the Southwest Research Station laboratory determining what types of caterpillars you've collected, whether or not they're parasitized, and which plants make up their favorite meals. Dr. Dyer and his research staff will teach you how to recognize all these things, joining you in the forest, in the lab, and around the dinner table. When you're not working or chatting with researchers and fellow volunteers, you can explore the trails around the station and take in the beautiful scenery occurring where forest meets desert.

Rough it, and still drink the water! The Southwest Research Station offers shared rooms, hot water showers, conventional plumbing, electricity, and limited internet access. After a day in the Arizona sun, you can refresh yourself in the station's swimming pool. Typical American food will be prepared for you by the research station staff.

As an Eons member, you'll get a free, 1 year membership to Earthwatch — a $35 value — when you sign up on any expedition. And members pay $100 less on their expedition contribution — so you save $135! Just put code EONS2007 in the comment field on the signup form, or, if you call, tell the Expedition Coordinator that you found us on Eons.

Earthwatch expedition-related costs may be tax-deductible in the US as volunteer expenses. Please check with your tax adviser.

*TRAVEL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER: Travel product and pricing information are the travel provider’s base estimates, published here as a convenience to TravelDragon users without verification by TravelDragon. Your actual price will vary depending upon length of trip, travel dates, number of traveling guests, transportation (e.g. airfare, rail passes, etc.), and optional service features such as room categories or individualized food requirements. This base price estimate may or may not include all necessary fees, taxes, government-imposed surcharges. Be sure to confirm availability, total price and trip details with the travel provider using the contact information provided here.

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