Winged wonders of the Amazon

There are believed to be upwards of 10,000 species of moths in Bolivia's Madidi National Park.

These photos, released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, are just a few of the colorful examples spotted during an 18-month expedition that began on June 5, 2015. Scientists are hoping the mission will expand knowledge of Madidi's birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish along an altitudinal pathway descending more than 5,000 meters (more than 16,000 feet) from the mountains of the high Andes into the tropical Amazonian forests and grasslands of northern Bolivia.

Along with the moths, the expedition uncovered a new frog, several catfish species and a bat with a freakishly long tongue.

Xylophanses amadis

This large dark green moth measures over 3 inches and is found from French Guiana to Bolivia in mid-elevation montane forests.

Pantherodes cf. pardalaria

This species can measure 2 inches and is known as the leopard butterfly because of its spots. It has a wide neotropical distribution.

Oospila albicoma matura

This species hides in the day under leaves with its wings fully extended, taking full advantage of its beautiful green coloring.

Rhodochlora endognoma

This species has a characteristic camouflage that helps it hide amongst leaf litter or on tree bark. Caterpillars of this family of moths are known as inchworms.

Adhemarius dentoni

These moths measure about 2 inches and have long front wings that are relatively narrower than their hind wings. The red coloring of this species helps differentiate it from other similar species. Females produce pheromones from the tip of their abdomen to attract males in the nocturnal sky.

Symphelbia fulminans

This species of the Noctuidae family is characterized by the color of its thorax that is reminiscent of a fire and is the reason behind its scientific name. It is found in the Andes and upper watershed of the Amazon.

Unidentified species

There are believed to be upwards of 10,000 species of moths in the park, including this unidentified species. The diversity of Madidi National Park is unusually high because of the great variety of micro habitats that are present and its remarkable altitudinal gradient. This estimation is double that of the Cotapata protected area in the nearby montane forests of La Paz.

Oxydia augusta

The Oxydia genus has 62 species found mostly in the Amazon and Andes, but two are found in Florida. The adults of this species are very variable in their coloring and intensity of markings. The coloring gives them a three dimensional appearance but this is an optical illusion as the wings are completely flat.

Xylophanes amadis

Another image of the moth, Xylophanes amadis.