Natural History Notes

Mimosa pigra growing in river bank Mimosa pigra or also known as Catclaw Mimosa is a widespread non-native invasive species that grows gregariously in many parts of the tropics. This invasive tree native habitat is in South America, but have since spread to other topical areas. Indeed Mimosa pigra is a notorious foreign tree that is very difficult to control as it is easily dispersed via its hardy seeds that can survive for many years. Mimosa pigra also grows rapidly especially in sandy soil besides large rivers. As a result, local ecosystem would be altered and the relatively rich native vegetation would become a homogenous stand of only several species of trees, and in turn some local animals like birds have to leave because of decline in fruiting trees or nesting site. Mimosa pigra flowers Mimosa pigra tree bears some resemblance to its close relative the Mimosa pudica or the Sensitive Plant, but it is much larger in size. It is a thorny plant that can grows up to

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.

Types of Insect Antennas

- May 18, 2012

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

Macaranga: A Pioneer Tree Species

- May 01, 2012

Perhaps one of the most likely plants one will encounter in disturbed parts of the rainforest is the trees of the genus Macaranga . They are well known pioneer plants, a species that first colonized cleared and vacated areas after disturbance whether it man made or natural such as due to logging or fire. Macaranga trees are well equipped to live in this habitat characterized by high amount of sunlight, among others. Their leaves are large so as to be able to collect large amount of light. One example of pioneer species, Macaranga gigantea aptly displays this adaptation by having a huge leave that reach up to almost a meter long. A Macaranga tree growing in sunlight-exposed part of a riverbank As a pioneer species in primary succession of the rainforest, Macaranga trees grow rather fast and out-compete other species. Trees that initially grow under their shade would then take over as the process of succession continues. Starlings are regular visitor to fruiting Macarang

Animal Pollinated Flowers

- November 30, 2014

Because pollination requires suitable pollinator to be successful, animal pollinated flowers have developed a variety of colors, scent and sizes; thus, restricting the kind of animals that visit them. Consequently, only animals with the right characteristics can feed on the nectar, and in return pollinate the flowers. A butterfly uses its proboscis to feed on nectar. Insects generally has keen sense of sight, hence they tend to visit colorful flowers. Butterflies, for example, often visit red, orange and yellow flowers, including those with long tubular tube for they can easily reach the nectar using their long sucking mouthparts . In contrast, bees cannot see red but they can see blue. This explains why many bee flowers are blue or violet. Bees are attracted to blue, purple and violet flowers. Time of opening also played a crucial part in attracting the right pollinators. Some flowers open at night like those of durian , which are pollinated by bats. Strongly sce

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

Assassin Bug

- July 22, 2015

Assassin bugs (Family Heteroptera) are aptly named because they are predatory insects, feeding mainly on other insects. This hemipteran of the order Reduviidae has a relatively small and longish head with large compound eyes and a distinct sucking mouthparts. Their legs are fairly large and they effectively use it to grasp their prey. They puncture their victim with their elongated mouthparts and inject poisonous saliva which will dissolves tissues, before eventually suck their prey body fluid. Assassin bug with prey. Interestingly, assassin bugs are known to use chemical bait to catch their prey. Some species collect plant sap on their leg that attract other insects. Others secrete chemical that not only attract ants but also kill them. And one species spits poisonous chemical to paralyze its prey. Assassin bug uses its long mouthparts to feed on other insects. Except for those species that cause Chagas disease in South America, assassin bugs are not harmful to ma

Types of Birds: Shrikes

- June 08, 2015

Only a few species of shrikes are found in this region, and almost all of them are winter migrants from the northern part of Asia. These passerines are also known as the butcher bird for their habit of impaling prey on thorn or barb wire. Tiger Shrike Despite their small size, shrikes are well equipped with hooked-tip bill, and strong legs to capture relatively large prey. Most of the time, the migratory shrikes are seen catching large insects or small lizards, but they are capable of capturing smaller birds and mammals as well. Long-tailed Shrike Aside from the Brown Shrike, two other species are common migrants namely Tiger Shrike ( Lanius tigrinus) and Long–tailed Shrike ( L. schach ). The former derives its name from the prominent barring on its flank. Both tend to be found in contrasting habitat. Long-tailed Shrike favours open woodlands, with scattered tree and long grasses, whereas Tiger Shrike prefers denser habitat like forest edge, plantations and orchar

Durian Fruit

- November 10, 2011

Durian, the king of fruit Durian fruits is one of the most popular Asian fruits especially in South-east Asia to the extent that it is regarded as the king of fruits. Locals like the the taste, smell and texture of Durians. On the contrary, many westerners in particular dislike the smell of Durians. The unmistakable capsular fruit of Durian ( Durio zibethinus ) is green and spiky, and when it is opened it reveals the seeds which are covered with yellow pulp. The pulp is usually eaten raw or cook to make porridge, for example. A full grown Durian tree. Like many tropical fruits of Asia, Durians originated from the rainforest and has been cultivated by man for a very long time. It is not unusual to find a Durian tree inside the rainforest whereby it can be identified by its conical crown and greyish-green leaves.

Insect Mouthparts

- September 23, 2012

Basically, insect mouthparts consist of four modified appendages: labrum (upper lip), mandibles (jaws), maxillae (second jaws) and labium (lower lip). Mouthparts are categorized into two main groups: biting mouthparts and sucking mouthparts. A damselfly has biting mouthparts. Insects with biting mouthparts are usually those that eat vegetation or other insects. These insects use their muscle powered mandibles to chew and tear their food. Damselflies and grasshoppers are examples of this group of insects. The butterflies are insects with sucking mouthparts. What appear to be a tube are two elongated maxilla fused together. In butterflies, it is known as proboscis and it can curl inward. Proboscis of a butterfly. The mouthparts are adaptation of insects for different diet. Therefore, you can guess what type of mouthpart an insect possesses by observing its feeding behavior. Even within the same species, the mouthparts may differ depending on life stage. Take the