This large island in the Malay archipelago is renowned for its wild riches, yet still holds many secrets
PORTFOLIO
Rainforest riches
Owing to its rugged, inaccessible terrain, much of Borneo’s forested interior has yet to be fully explored. Rainforests around the world are renowned for biodiversity, but those on Borneo are exceptional: a single 50-hectare plot can house nearly 1,200 species of tree. “I have been exploring Borneo for nearly 30 years, and pretty much every trip turns up biological novelties,” says Chien.
Light show
A female firefly slowly ascends a twig, her tail-tip flashing to attract the winged males. Chien captured the undulating pattern of her light trail using a 26-second exposure. As beetles, fireflies usually undergo complete metamorphosis, but females of this genus (Lamprigera) retain their larval form.
A frog that flies
Borneo is home to more species of gliding animal than anywhere else on Earth. One of the most famous is Wallace's flying frog, named after the famous naturalist. It glides using its huge webbed feet, which enable it to control its descent and even steer in mid-air.
The rafflesia ruse
An insect’s-eye view of the interior of a gigantic rafflesia flower. Rafflesia is a parasite, producing no leaves, stems or roots of its own and relying instead on a host vine. The plant famously mimics the colour and scent of decaying animals, enticing fly prey that act as pollinators, and its flowers open for just a few days each year.
Flying colours
The spectacular Whitehead's trogon inhabits the cool montane cloudforests of northern Borneo. Of the six trogon species found on the island, this is the only endemic. Trogons usually perch quietly, slowly turning their heads to search for insects hidden among the foliage. Some feed almost exclusively on stick insects, which are very well camouflaged – testament to the keen eyesight of these birds.
Signs of sting
The vivid hues of the slug moth caterpillar are a glaring warning of those venom-filled spines. This moth family (Limacodidae) is abundant in Borneo, with nearly 100 species recorded. Almost all are equipped with a similar stinging defence.
Leech love
With its gaudy stripes, the tiger leech, here in the throes of mating, is one of Borneo’s most colourful forest leeches. While other species tend to stay on the forest floor, tigers often climb low vegetation and extend
