Natural History Notes

  Five-bar Swordtail Both swordtail and swallowtail butterflies are grouped into the same family, namely  Papilionidae which is distinguished by the protrusions on their hindwings. In the case of swallowtails, these extensions often form twin tails reminiscent of a swallow’s forked tail. Swordtails, as their name implies, showcase a distinct, single sword-like extension which can clearly be seen in the Five-bar Swordtail ( Graphium antiphates ), for example.  It also differs from many swallowtail by their iridescent wings with green and yellow bands against a black background. Common Mormon Swallowtails such as the Common Mormon ( Papilio polytes ) has a somewhat broader wings, though they are not as quick as swordtails but still a strong flier.  Their wings are mainly black, with pale streaks visible up close on the forewings, while the hindwings have white streaks punctuated with red crescent markings. Interestingly, the female of this species exhibits a form of mi...

Cordyceps not only kills its host, but also brainwashes it to climb before dying. The humid and dense rainforest provides an ideal environment for parasitic fungi, such as those of the genus Cordyceps to thrive. These fungi primarily target insects, including ants, moths and their larvae. When a spore lands on a suitable insect host, it germinates and penetrates the exoskeleton of its unfortunate victim. Once inside, the fungus takes control of the host's nervous system, influencing it to seek an elevated position, such as the underside of a leaf in the lower canopy, rather than remaining on the forest floor. This behavior ensures more effective dispersal of the fungus's spores. Eventually, the fungal fruiting bodies emerge from the dead insect, as depicted in the photo.

Sea Hibiscus flowers just last a dawn-to-dusk. The Sea Hibiscus ( Hibiscus tiliaceus ) is a small flowering tree commonly found along beaches and mangroves. It can grow to heights exceeding 10 meters and is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves that are arranged alternately along the branches. The tree produces striking flowers, approximately 10 cm in diameter, which start as yellow with a darker base and gradually transition to a pinkish-orange hue. The fruit is a capsule with a persistent calyx that splits into several parts when ripe. Sea Hibiscus fruits change from green to brown as they mature. With a geographic range spanning the Indo-Pacific region and the Pacific Islands, this tree is known by various names, such as Waru in the Philippines and Bebaru in Malaysia. In parts of the Americas, where it is considered an invasive species, this member of the Malvaceae family is referred to as Mahoe . Sea Hibiscus growing along mangroves. The Sea Hibiscus can be used in landscaping...

Yellow-bellied Prinia The Prinia is a slender warbler characterized by its long, graduated tail and thin bill, found across regions from Africa to Southeast Asia. In our area, the Yellow-bellied Prinia is among the most commonly encountered species, as it prefers open grasslands and agricultural areas which are usually close to human settlements. This bird is easily identified by its striking bright yellow underparts, which contrast with its olive-brown upperparts, whitish throat, and sometimes a small white speck in front of the eye. Its calls comprise of slurred whistling notes and a sort of mewing sound are often heard from within tall grasses, can help distinguish it from other warblers sharing the same habitat. It builds a purse-shaped nest made of thin plant fibers, attached to a grass stalk. Nest of Yellow-bellied Prinia In denser, well-wooded habitats such as forest edges and plantations, the Rufescent Prinia replaces the Yellow-bellied Prinia. Unlike its open country counterpa...

Plume moth Plume Moths have distinctive features but may not be immediately recognizable as moths. Unlike most moths, their wings are not folded to the body or outstretched when resting. Instead, the wings are held at right angle forming a T shape. The wings compose of several feather-like structures which are not readily seen because they are rolled when the creature is at rest. This tiny Lepidopteran only reach around 10mm across and they are quite common, often spotted sitting on leaves with its body slightly turned upward. Plume moths are not known as a major pest for most plants, but in India they are regarded as pest to Pigeon Pea. The hairy caterpillars bore into pods and feed on the developing grain.

The sparrow-sized Black-thighed Falconet is one of the smallest raptor in this part of the world. It is identified by its very small size, black ear covert, and white underparts washed with rufous. Juvenile has white parts of the head strongly tinged with rufous.  Black-thighed Falconet on a stag. Because of its unobtrusive characteristics, it is usually overlooked by most people. Sometimes, especially from some distance away, it might be confused with a shrike , but the latter generally stays closer to the ground. Juvenile Black-thighed Falconet This tiny raptor favours forest clearings and survives well near human settlements with lots of trees such as villages and agricultural land. It sits and waits on exposed perch such as a dead tree, and sometimes on telephone pole or wire. From this vantage point, it scans around for its favourite food including dragonflies or butterflies which it usually catches on the wings. Related Post Types of Birds: Shri...