Tropical biodiversity researchers are working in ecological, social, and economic contexts that are completely different from those of 150 years ago. In the 1800s, scientists from developed nations studied tropical biodiversity as part of expeditionary work. The social and economic benefits from these studies went to citizens of the developed nations that funded the research. Benefits accrued to foreigners rather than the native inhabitants of tropical nations explored by natural historians. Today, the governments and citizens of tropical nations view biodiversity components as natural resources that can contribute to national cultural, social, and economic development. Modern biodiversity researchers therefore find themselves working under socio-economic conditions that are radically different from those experienced by Darwin, Wallace, Humboldt, Bates and their contemporaries. In the last quarter of a century, biodiversity researchers from developed nations have struggled to meet the changing focus for their research and have substantially modified research processes to meet some of the needs and directions of developing nations. In this essay, we discuss how developed nation biodiversity researchers are changing their approach to working in tropical countries. We illustrate this change by examining how researchers from developed country work in developing countries. We examine potential reasons for conflict between developed nation biodiversity researchers and citizens of developing nations, and suggest potential solutions to these conflicts. In particular, we suggest that developed nation biodiversity researchers continue to place a strong emphasis on outputs that benefit the countries in which they work. We also suggest that biodiversity researchers should seek input from representatives of developing nations in planning projects so that research efforts can meet the needs of the host-country. We use experiences in Guyana, South America, to illustrate collaborative approaches to biodiversity research.