Cabo de la Huerta, just south of Alicante, features a typical Mediterranean climate with dry, warm summers and mild winters with associated
flora and fauna.
For its small size, the slopes and coastal rocks of Cabo de la Huerta sport a surprisingly large and varied
insect population with many different beetle species, like Short-horned leaf beetle, Pimelia Costata, the peculiar Bloody-nosed
beetle, Tentyria Laevis beetles, White spotted Rose beetles, Long-horned beetles and many more.
Barbary harvester
ants have a solid presence at Cabo de la Huerta. These busy critters collect seeds but also dead insects etc.
A comprehensive
guide of all fauna and flora in the Alicante region is here.
See this list for all birds observed at the Cape.
The photographs are
from April 2024 through December 2025.
the entrance to the nest is heavily guarded
a Long-horned beetle
a couple of Tentyris Laevis beetles caught in the act. A strong wind has blown them over, but they just soldier on
these ants collect anything that does not move. They can lift 40 times their own weight
a Tentyria Laevis beetle
the large Bloody-nosed beetle exudes a red liquid when in danger
but he is not alone and soon a struggle starts
a Short-horned leaf beetle
a shiny Pimelia Costata beetle
a White spotted Rose beetle inspects a flowering Desert Prickly Pear cactus
Barbary harvester ants have found a dead insect
Delivery Service!
Beetles and Ants at Cabo de la Huerta