Acrocinus longimanus
In 3 days ~40% in a week ~70%
The harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) is a large and distinctly colored species of longhorn beetle from the Neotropics and the only member of the genus Acrocinus. It is given its English name because of the elaborate pattern of black, orange-red and greenish-yellow markings in both sexes; despite this the beetle is quite well-camouflaged when perched on a lichen or fungus covered tree trunk. The species name longimanus is a Latin word that refers to the extremely long forelegs (manus) of the large males, which are longer than the beetle's entire body. The head-and-body of this beetle measures 4.3 to 7.5 cm (1.7–3.0 in) long. The size and unusual appearance of the harlequin beetle has made it popular among insect collectors. Although essentially harmless to humans, it may bite in self-defense with its strong mandibles.
The harlequin beetle was first scientifically described as Cerambyx longimanus by Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758. In 1806, it was moved to the newly coined genus Acrocinus by Illiger. Although recent authorities have consistently recognized it as the only member of this genus, the relationship to other genera of longhorned... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Piedras Blancas National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 5 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 6 | Corcovado National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 7 | Tambopata National Reserve | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 8 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 9 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panama City | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 2 | San José | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Harlequin Beetle sighting in Rincón de la Vieja National Park on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 36th most-seen of the 56 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 70%, if each day is a fresh chance.
August
In that month about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Harlequin Beetle in Rincón de la Vieja National Park on a given day, against under 5% in May–July and September–March, the lowest months.
Between 7 and 10 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Harlequin Beetle sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is seen both by day and at night.
Among the best
Of the 9 parks where we can rate Harlequin Beetle sightings, Rincón de la Vieja National Park ranks 2nd at about 20%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Braulio Carrillo National Park (Costa Rica, about 20%).
Same order: Coleoptera
The closest relatives of the Harlequin Beetle that you can see in Rincón de la Vieja National Park (order Coleoptera, Beetles) are Ringed Tortoise Beetle (about 20%) and Coelosis biloba (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Harlequin Beetle is recorded against all the insects logged in Rincón de la Vieja National Park (6 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
