Natural History Notes

The antennas or commonly called feelers are one of the most characteristics features of insects’ parts. They are elongated appendages in various length and shape projected from the insect’s head. Essentially a sensory organ, the insect antennas give them the ability to detect chemical and movement. The simplest type of antenna is the filiform which consist of many more or less the same sized subunits. This beetle of the Anobiidae family displays a pectinate antenna A wide array of antenna forms is found as a result of different modification of the subunits. A pectinate antenna, for example, has each subunit prolonged at one side, giving rise to a comb like appearance. In many insects of the order Lepidoptera which include moths and butterflies, the antenna gradually becomes broader at the tip making it looks like a club or knob ( clavate ). The clavate antenna of a butterfly ended in a knob

Fishtail Palm

- August 17, 2013

The Fishtail Palm ( Caryota mitis ) derives its name from its delta-shaped, fishtail-like leaflet with ragged ends. It has the characteristics monocot leaf with parallel veins readily seen in many other palm species as well. Additionally, like all palms, it also lack wood, bark and side branches often seen in dicot trees. Leaflets of Fishtail Palm A palm tree native to Southeast Asia, this quick growing palm can reach a height of up to 12 meters. The slightly curved leaves can measure up to three meters and the leaflets usually range from 10-20 centimeters. It has been used in landscaping quite extensively as a screening, tall hedges and even interiorscape. Flowers and fruits of Fishtail Palm are borne on dense cluster of string. The rounded fruits are borne on long hanging stalks. Although they might appear edible, the fruits contain highly irritating calcium oxalates crystals. When this crystals puncture the skin, it cause intense itching, and highly irritating to th...

Compound Eyes of Insects

- March 30, 2014

Compound eyes consist of numerous ommatidia. Most insects have compound eyes, which upon closer inspection have many an array tiny lenses. They are the most visible part of the subunits of the compound eyes known as ommatidia. Each ommatidium comprises of the lens, light gathering unit and light absorbing cells. A dragonfly's compound eyes can have thousands of ommatidia. Because the lens is not flexible like ours, an insect cannot focus properly resulting in less detailed view of their surroundings. However, an insect vision is very efficient when it comes to detecting movement. As an object moves across their field of vision, it turns each corresponding ommatidia on and off making them highly sensitive to movement. This adaptation of the insect eyes is important because it helps insects evade predators, hunt potential prey and avoid collision when flying. Compound eyes help this fly catches its prey. The numbers of ommatidia varies among insects. General...

Hairy Rambutan Fruit

- February 14, 2012

Bunches of ripe Rambutan fruits Rambutan trees ( Nephelium lappaceum ) are common sight in rural areas in the region as they are grown in orchards and gardens. The Rambutan tree can reach up to 10 m in height. They are planted primarily for the fruit, easily identified by its ellipsoid shape, red colour and characteristically hairy appearance. The name Rambutan is derived from the word rambut which means hair in the Indo-Malayan region in particular. In Vietnam, however, it is known as Hairy Cherry. The outer skin is thin can be readily peel off by hands, and it encloses the white pulp that surrounds the woody seed. It is this pulp with its juicy and sweet taste that is consumed. In terms of nutrition, Rambutan fruit rich in vitamin C. There are many varieties of Rambutan, the most favourable are the ones with the pulp does not adheres to the seed so tightly. Seedless varieties also existed but they are not common.

Water Striders

- January 20, 2014

In the rainforest, water strider, which belongs to the family Gerridae in the order Hemiptera , inhabits damp habitat like streams especially near the banks. Most water striders are large insects with elongated body, long and slender legs, and large eyes visible up close. The middle legs mainly help the water strider move on the water surface and the front ones are use to handle prey. A water strider can "walk " on water. Aside from visual cues, water strider or also known as water skater, detects prey in the water via vibration. It feeds on its prey tissues fluid using piercing-sucking mouthparts with the help of strong digestive enzyme. However, water striders are themselves food for other animals like fishes, birds and frogs. For this reason, they have drab coloration that helps them avoid predators. Rainforest streams are suitable habitat for water striders. Scientists have long known that water tension partly explains how water striders walk on water. How...

Banana Flowers

- January 20, 2013

Banana flowers The banana tree ( Musa sp.) is essentially a large herb most notable for its fruits. The large flowers are in many cases dioecious, that is the female and male flowers are present in the same plant. The inflorescence initially starts out at the tip of the plant. In the beginning, it is erect but eventually bends downwards. At first, only the female banana flowers develop in cluster around the thick long stalk. They are often referred as hands, and each finger will eventually become the fruit. As the fruits develop, the stalk continues to grow, and the male flowers will appear near the end, at the axil of the conspicuous bracts.

Poisonous Plant: Lantana camara

- January 25, 2018

Flowers of Lantana camara . Originally brought from South America to this region for decorative purposes, Lantana camara has escaped into the wild where it thrived at clearings around villages, cultivation and forested areas. Owing to its toxicity, this shrubby plant belonging to the verbena family has become a cause of concern to the extent that it is categorized as an invasive species in some countries. Some ripe and unripe fruits of Lantana camara . The fruits, for instance, although appear edible, can cause serious implication if consumed. Indeed, fatal cases have been recorded especially among children. Ingestion of the leaves by ruminants such as cows and goats will lead to liver damage followed by death in a few days. Arrangement of leaves and flower clusters of Lantana camara . The unmistakable flower clusters are held on erect stalk from the leaf axil near the top. Most of the flowers are orange and yellow, but variations occur in which the flowers ...

Cat's Eye Fruit

- May 22, 2011

A bunch of Cat's Eye fruits The Cat's Eye fruit is one of the most popular fruits in Southeast Asia. It is related to the Longan or Dragon's Eye ( Dimocarpus longan ). Taxonomically it is a variety of the Longan. The scientific name of Cat's Eye plant is Dimocarpus longan var malesianus , but this particular variety is widely grown only in Southeast Asia. The small fruit contain a shiny black and smooth seed, surrounded by translucent pulp. It tastes sweet, and slightly juicy. The inflorescence of Cat's Eye fruit tree The tree itself is quite attractive with light brown bark, dark-green pinnate leaves and small, white flowers held in terminal panicles. The flower is visited by numerous flies and butterflies. It then become the fruit which is covered by thin brown and somewhat woody skin that can be easily peel off by hand. Not only people like the fruits, but many kind of animal such as treeshrew and squirrels too.

Oriental Garden Lizard

- March 11, 2013

The Oriental Garden Lizard ( Calotes versicolor ) is one of the common species of reptiles in parks, gardens, villages and cultivations. It is readily seen sunning on exposed low branches, fences and rural roads. When one comes too close, it habitually runs for cover or dive into the undergrowth. Because it can change colour, it is also call the Changeable Lizard, and can be mistaken for a chameleon. Male Oriental Garden Lizard Typical of Agamid lizards, it has a series of upward pointing triangular scales on its head, which become smaller as it runs down its back. Numerous variable sized, backward pointing scales cover the body of this small reptile. Surrounding the eyes are movable eyelids, visible up close. The body is somewhat triangular in cross-section: the underneath being flattened and the sides compressed toward the top. Generally, the male are larger than female, reaching one foot in length. Oriental Garden lizards fight over territory. In breeding season, th...

White-throated Kingfisher

- October 15, 2014

White-throated Kingfisher, aka White-breasted Kingfisher The White-throated Kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis ) is also known as White-breasted Kingfisher because some populations have the white patch on its throat extend down to the breast. Typical of kingfishers, this bird has a large bill in comparison to its body size with short neck and legs. The bill is red in adults, but young individuals may have duller colored bill. In flight, the white patch on its wing is very conspicuous. White-throated Kingfisher habitually sits on open perch. A common bird in the region, this medium size kingfisher (~25cm) is one of those birds often seen around human habitation. It also inhabits open countryside, shrubs, ponds and rivers. One of the main reason for its adaptability is its variable diet that consist of insects, small reptiles like lizards and snakes, as well as fish. Unlike many species of kingfisher which dive into the water to catch fish, the White-throated kingfisher ...