Scarabs belonging to the long-legged chafer tribe (Macrodactylini, within the scarab family Scarabaeidae) are distinctive insects celebrated for their slender, elongated silhouettes and extraordinarily long, spindly legs. These spindly limbs serve a critical evolutionary purpose, acting as perfect anchors that allow the beetles to cling tightly to swaying blossoms and foliage while they feed. In many North American species of this lineage, the adults contain a toxic chemical known as cantharidin, making them highly dangerous if ingested by backyard chickens or wild birds. Their underground larvae are classic “C-shaped” white grubs with distinct brown heads; they spend the winter buried deep within well-drained soils, feeding quietly on the roots of grasses before pupating in the spring. I crossed paths with this large, delightfully clumsy scarab while exploring the vibrant vegetation of the city park in Puyo, a gateway town nestled on the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon.