Asian Lady Beetle - An Invasion!

Harmonia axyridis

"There are around 18 species of ladybird beetles in Ontario, all of which feed on aphids and mealy bugs. However, Harmonia axyridis was considered very effective in eradicating the pest problems associated with crops such as soya. Hence it was introduced into USA and thus entered Canada. Here is an account entailing general information and observations on this beetle. "

Asian Lady Beetle showing the "W" mark on it's pronotum

Asian Lady Beetle is a beautiful ladybird native to eastern Asia. It is easily identified by the “M” or “W” mark – whichever way you see it, on the pronotum (just behind the head). It lives for one to three years, depending on the availability of food and surviving winter several times. When disturbed – or handled – it produces an odor to deter predators, the smell is however insignificant and can be easily washed away. They are gentle and do not bite to humans, but some people are allergic to this beetle.

It was first introduced in USA in the year 1916 to control the pest population of aphids, and after consecutive efforts, it became acclimatized to the area. Thence it ever spread farther, and reached Canada. It is now abundant than the native Ladybird beetles seen around. In Europe as well, the species spread quickly and almost replaced native ladybirds of Britain.

- Photographed at Lake Huron during Summer

This is one of the rather skeptical cases of introducing an exotic species to control the pest population in a certain country. There are failed instance which includes introduction of Cane Toad in Australia, to control the beetle grubs that damaged sugarcane. However, the toad developed taste for the native beetles, and soon became an invasive species. This resulted in a decline in the native insect biodiversity along with receding reptile population due to competition for food.

There are several successful cases of biological control of pest population by exotic species. One of the cases is, in which the cottony cushion scale insect – a pest on citrus trees, was the reason for major loss of the Californian citrus industry. A vedalia beetle and a parasitoid fly were then introduced from Australia to control the pest population. After a few years, the pest was completely controlled by these exotic predators. And the availability of food, in this case, the scale insect, determined the population density of the exotic predator, thus controlling its invasiveness.

Aphids are hemiptera bugs, feeding on plant sap. They reproduce extremely rapidly and thus expand and exploit the food sources available, including crops. Photographed in India.

However, not all such cases are like these. In case of Harmonia axyridis, the beetle was successful in eliminating aphids – a farmer and a gardener’s nightmare. So long as the beetle consumed the aphids, all was okay. But it spread rapidly all over the place, and replaced the native populations of ladybirds – through competition for food. This resulted in a loss of native biodiversity, and that is not good! Also, it is known to damage crops such as grapes.

“Adults feed on grapes in the late fall for sugars to survive during hibernation. However, they get harvested along with the grapes. When crushed with the grapes they impart a musty odor to juice or wine. The odor is because of a compound called methoxypyrazine, which is a stable compound and resistant to heat, fermentation and filtering. ” Timothy E. Martinson et al, The Buzz on Asian Lady Beetles

Albeit these facts, this beetle is still considered a blessing by a farmer – thanks to its gregarious appetite for aphids.

All Ladybird beetles hibernate during winter season. And so, the best time to see them – in their thousands – is during autumn. This is the time when, all of a sudden, they come and land on trees and buildings. They make it into your homes, and are a menace. But they don’t mean to. They are actually seeking shelter from the coming of cold. Therefore, they seek the corners and warm places so as to survive the winter.

“Houses – particularly light colored ones – look like rock faced cliffs to lady beetles in the fall. This has been a minor problem in Central NY since the mid 90s.” Timothy E. Martinson et al, The Buzz on Asian Lady Beetles

Five different morphs as seen during the invasion

Now, you may come across a myriad of colors from orange to red and melanistic forms, and patterns (such as no spots, less spots, dark spots, so on) on these lady beetles marked with an "M" on the pronotum, and thus around fifteen morphs - or more, exist today, out of which, I recorded only five in London ON. These morphs are a result of genetic variation.

In nature the lady beetles shelter in tree crevices, under rocks and in leaf litter. But unfortunately, they land up on big structures like high rise buildings – mistaking them to be trees, and seek shelter in apartments. But worry not, it’s a pleasurable company!

Two, dormant lady beetles inside home

According to my observations, many of these beetles that made into my house died after two weeks. And the ones that were all over the place outside, vanished. I think the death was because of being active throughout the time – thanks to the constant warmth provided by my heater but, no food source. The rest of those who vanished must have sought a protective shelter and slept calmly.

So, after a long winter sleep, the ladybirds rise up and go on a search for mates. This happens during spring time. That’s the time when they congregate again and invade homes – actually, to seek shelter for mating. Thus be the life of these beautiful, yet invasive Ladybirds – Harmonia axyridis.

Thank you for reading!

References:

1. Timothy E Martinson, The Buzz on Asian Lady Beetles, Finger Lakes Vineyard Notes #8, August 12, 2002
http://www.grapesandwine.cals.cornell.edu/extension/edocs/Asian%20Lady%20Beetles%201.pdf

2. Kevin W Ker, Questions and Answers about H. axyridis (Pallas), April Harmonia axyridis Seminar, 2002
http://www.brocku.ca/ccovi/news/Q&A.html

3. Kevin W Ker, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle – New Insect or just Overlooked in Ontario
http://www.brocku.ca/ccovi/news/Asian_Lady_Beetle_-Harmonia_axy.pdf

4. Catherine R Weeden et al, Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/info/biocont.html

5. Caltagirone, L. E., Doutt, R. L. The History of the Vedalia Beetle Importation to California and its Impact on the Development of Biological Control
http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.en.34.010189.000245

Other websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia_axyridis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_pest_control

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

A common mammal of the neighborhood in Canada, it is seen scurrying on parapets and on top of houses, on pine trees and maples. I spent a pleasant time photographing and video-shooting these squirrels.

Here is one of her stance where she curiously and slyly gave me a glance. It is a squirrel native to Eastern and Midwestern USA and southerly Canada. It was introduced in UK and has largely displaced the native Red Squirrel (S. vulgaris). The Gray Squirrel shares its distribution with Fox Squirrel, which is often confused to be a Gray Squirrel. - Wikipedia

From my observations, I found these squirrels fairly common in Mississauga – a suburb of Toronto, and came across several but rather uncommon melanistic forms. The melanistic forms were more conspicuous compared to the common, ordinary squirrels. I also found them to be timid as compared to the latter.

On a contrary, in London ON, I saw a healthy population of the melanistic Eastern Gray Squirrels, about three individuals per one ordinary squirrel. I cannot ascertain why such a difference, but surprisingly, the melanistic squirrels here are not as shy as in Mississauga, and will be often seen sniffing right beside the path. I have seen only two ordinary coated squirrels here.

The melanistic form, which is almost entirely black, is predominant in certain populations and in certain geographic areas, such as in large parts of southeastern Canada. - Wikipedia
It is a typical pose of a squirrel that defines its binomial name. According to Wikipedia, “The genus, Sciurus, is derived from two Greek words, skia, meaning shadow, and oura, meaning tail. This name alludes to the squirrel sitting in the shadow of its tail.”

Given HERE is the video that show’s one of the Squirrel behaviors. The Squirrel sat all cuddled up in the pose in the above picture.

After sensing my presence, this Squirrel started making squeaking and chucking sounds. It started wagging its tail and seemed to tell me “I have seen you!” It is a warning signal that Squirrels all over the world use, in territorial disputes, or in presence of a predator such as a raptor or a snake. This squirrel did not start displaying warning signs until I was pretty close to her (at about 15 feet). I presumed a low profile, laying flat on the ground and making no sudden movements. After a while I stood to my feet and the squirrel – in a fraction of a second – vanished in the trees. This is because she probably thought my stance to be threatening and big. It is obvious and easy to observe this behavior – whether you are in the field or, just gardening in your backyard!

All these squirrels observed were not tamed in anyway and I did not see people feeding them, which is a good thing. They do however visit backyards and eat up the pears and apples! These squirrels are the wild-neighbors who now share their natural habitat with a human habitat. Rest of the wild-neighbor list includes Raccoons, Skunks and Rabbits, and in areas close to woods – White Tailed Deer.

I am glad to have sighted these until now, but never had an opportunity to photograph them. The squirrels, on the other hand, are always present and give you a nice company if you’re alone! I find it amusing to see them chuckle and play around trees and lawns as I walk huddled in a hoodie to the lectureroom.

For more on Eastern Gray Squirrel - HERE (Wikipedia)

For more on Fox Squirrel - HERE (Wikipedia)

And another very interesting documentation on Eastern Gray Squirrel -HERE (Hiker's Notebook)

This is my first post away from India. I squeezed out time to do some natural observations around my base in Canada, and this is the creature that struck me first. Keep watching for more!

Nagla Range - SGNP

Nagla Block – August 10th, 2009

A fine day to explore! Thought I, and headed to the ST stand on a Sunday morning. The day was bright, sky open and faintly blue. No cloud was in the sight, and the effect of the Sun was already setting in. The air was humid, scarce and smelled of fresh vada paav and chai. It was a busy morning, as usual, with beggars going about their business, students going to tuitions, travelers unloading, workmen rushing, trekkers grouping and drunkards blissfully sleeping. The scene at the city street was as normal as expected, which relieved me. I hoped for some early morning rains but the sky was devoid of it. I sighed and waited for a friend – and we boarded the Virar bound ST. We were heading Nagla Block.
When I think of Nagla Block, I think the word “different” expresses it well. For it is indeed differently beautiful compared to SGNP or Yeoor. Comparing Nagla to the latter places is righteously possible since Nagla is indeed a part of SGNP. Lying north of Vasai Creek, it is thus isolated from the mainland SGNP. It is a place so dense that one can easily get lost in its sheer beauty and what it has to offer. Nagla is a place to be visited during any season, if you can bear the heat and least I forget, mosquitoes.

It is more like Karnala Bird Sanctuary, and the forestlands near shorelines. It harbors a high density of butterflies and birds, famed leopards and other lesser fauna. Nagla is special because of its location, its habitat and its flora. I found Teak to be as abundant here as anywhere in SGNP, although other trees which I could only wonder of were beautifully gracing the sunlight with open arms and at their feet were lined masses of shrubs and herbs and whatnot.

Nagla has an aroma that is different, a scene that is different and the feel to it. It’s undoubtedly different! Done saying that, I was glad to be back, exploring this familiar place at-the-back-of-mind after a long time. There is a tiny village at the base of the Nagla Range, typically made of dung and mud and everyday paving its way into the forest ahead. The guard house is always open, and someone or the other is always at the door to greet familiar faces. Armored with equipments to keep mosquitoes and horseflies at bay, not-to-forget rains, I awaited reaching there, which takes about 30 min from Thane.
The weather cheated at the last minute. And we were standing in a heavy downpour, cursing the very wish of mine but that’s wildlife! I was sure then that the sightings will be even better when it stops. After a while it opened, the light sunned the leaves and all the sun-loving creatures came out of hiding. The trail lasted for several hours, trying to capture all the animals I could, I also cherished the place dearly. I was surprised to find no plastic littering when we wandered away from the village. That was the best part!

One must expect the unexpected here and you will see bizarre and beautiful things all around you. Unfortunately, the rain has been scanty over a period of several weeks. This has hampered the seasonal-cycle of many. Wherever I expected water, that stream lied dried and devoid – except some stagnant ponds harboring the remaining aquatic life. Is it us or El Nino? I gravely ponder.

Photographs:

Commelina - A beautiful shrub of Commelinaceae family. Common during passing of Monsoon.

Cyanotis - Another member of Commelinaceae family.

Begonia - Common Begonia growing wildl on boulders in a dry streambed. It was a beautiful view! Shown beloe is the full-shot of an individual Begonia plant.

Above image shows a colony of Common Begonia flowering plants. A treat to watch during Monsoon months.

Impatiens minor - A common abundant shrub, often covering open patches and neath thick canopies. Seen on every trail during monsoon.

Impatiens balsamina - Another yet common and striking flower of Monsoon. Given below is a full length image of the entire plant. It is easy to identify by only looking at flowers, but the leaf patterns on many are equally important.

Tree Gum - This excessive tree gum was oozing out of an open wound. It had several insects trapped in it.

Unidentified Dragonfly - This dragonfly is probably Neurothemis intermedia.

The above image is that of a beautiful wasp so common around that you might get tired of seeing it! But what's frustrating is clicking it, for it is hardly ever seen in one place. However one best place to find this one is while feeding on flowers like Leea. I was only lucky to see it drenched in the rains and taking a break.

Who hides there? I asked, and tried to get a better view of the above grasshopper. But he was so shy that he did not heed me. Finally I managed this photograph.

Above image shows a grasshopper and a pink aura of Wild Turmeric around it. Fresh monsoon feel.

Katydid - Enough is said about this creature on previous posts. Here it probably was feeding on Commelina, and my presence was not entertained, so it was about to jump away. But I remained brief, and managed this shot.

Spittle Bug Adult - Remember seeing some frothy spit-like thing on plants? It is done by the larva of the above (and below) bug. They were very abundant.

A beetle cleaning or rather wiping itself after morning showers.

Another beetle played hide-and-seek with me!

A caterpillar doing about its morning exercises? No. A caterpillar stuck in spider web? No. It's a caterpillar holding onto it's own silk as rain pushed her down!
Now this is hard to believe, but it is a caterpillar. It is called a Looper caterpillar, that of a moth. The far extended side is the head, while it's hind appendages cling to the green stem.

A Bird-dropping moth, yet unidentified.

Yet another unidentified moth.

Unidentified Skipper. Belongong to Hesperidae, they are kind of moth-like butterflies. Some say they are the pioneers of today's real butterflies. But it's an entire unique family of thise small supersonic butteflies really.

Monkey Puzzle - One of my favourite butterflies! Wonder why such a name? Well, look at it's wings and you will see the puzzle game commonly called monkeypuzzle!

A Crab Spider stations itself on Balsam leaf.

...and another stationed on a different plant succeeded on capturing a honeybee! (Thomisidae)

An Orb-weaver successfully captured this Horsefly. (Araneidae)

A curious Jumping Spider! (Salticidae)
Lastly, a fresh raindrop. A life-giver.

Karjat - An Excursion

Karjat - 31st July and 1st August, 2009

Sweat trickled down me brow as I awaited the coming of a train with the symbol ‘S’. An hour passed and the train arrived on platform 2, when it was to arrive at 5. Such things happen here that leaves the commuters fuming; nonetheless it did not bother me from being absorbed in the countryside, a dreamy world that shows up only during Monsoon.

Aboard the filthy, hot and cramped train and with a burden on shoulders, I managed to find a place and settled. It was a two hour journey. Two hours of boredom, chaos and waiting. It was that moment when I achieved a seat at the window that I breathed easily. The view out of the window changed dramatically – from tall buildings to slums and from slums to huts. Then followed fields of lush green grass and crops, and mountains called Sahyardis – the northern mountain ranges of Western Ghats, standing tall on the plains of Maharashtra. The weather was warm and humid, cloudy and sticky – a good day to explore Karjat, thought I.

Do not dream, just see – is the thing one must follow while on a trail. And if you are in a dreamland, see more. See as much as you can. I did that, became isolated from the human world made up of bricks and stones (and enjoyed amidst the hounding and hammering that constantly stalked at the back of my mind.

It was those tiny flowers that were hard to be noticed and that tiny ant guarding its nest so bravely that even I could do naught but salute her. It was a chirping Munia and a fishing Kingfisher. It was the South-western winds and the singing of the leaves. Waves on the lake and rush of the streams. It was everything, everything consumed me. I was wholeheartedly obsessed. Dissolved in the depths of the greens, but it was this reality that brought me back. I want to do something for Earth. I have to do something for my home.

The trail around the place was nice and pleasant, with beautiful sightings and some satisfying photographs, yet I thought of something amiss. It was time. With so few hours left I tried to behold all the beauty around me. It is gives me the strength to be strong, and undeterred. I managed a short trail in the night. But it was on the second day that my wish was fulfilled.

While sitting down, bending over and clicking birds at the stream, I got up to change the teleconverter. I wonder why I had to get up, but I did. And I happened to glance below where I sat, casually so, and there it was – flicking its tongue, sensing me, watching me curiously from the thicket. I was as excited as I was nervous. It was a Russell’s viper.

List of Sightings:
Rain was scarce, weather hot and humid, overcast and often windy.
Birds
1. Pied Kingfisher - 4
2. Red Wattled Lapwing - 2
3. Black Kite - 1
4. Pied (Crested) Cuckoo - 1
5. Scaly Breasted Munia - 4
6. Black Shouldered Kite - 1
7. Indian Robin - 3
8. Oriental Magpie Robin - 1
9. Little Cormorant – 1
10. Night Heron – 2
11. Cinnamon Bittern – 1
12. Coppersmith Barbet – 3
13. Cattle Egret in breeding plumage
14. Pond Herons
15. Asian Koel

Some Insects - *Glitch in Blogspot!*
16. Black Stream Glider – 3
17. Common Gull – 2
18. Coromandel Marsh Dart – 1
19. Danaid Eggfly - 4

Reptiles
1. Russell’s viper – 1
2. Garden Lizard – 3
3. Gecko unidentified – 3
4. Skink feeding on ants – 1

Amphibians
1. Rana tigrina – 2
2. Polypedates sp. – 1
3. Fungoid Frog – 1

Insects
1. Plain Tiger - 2
2. Striped Tiger – 2
3. Common Indian Crow – Plenty
4. Blue Tiger laying eggs on Wattakaka volubilis– 1
5. Dark Grass Blue -1
6. Tamil Grass Dart (?) – 1
7. Pseudagrion rubriceps – 3 mating pairs (2 laying eggs) and several individuals
8. Green Marsh Hawk – 1
9. Wandering Glider – Two swarms of around 15 individuals each
10. Trithemis aurora – 3
11. Crimson-tailed Marsh Hawk – 1
12. Ditch Jewel – 4
13. Yellow Bush Dart - 3
14. Senegal Golden Dartlet – 1
15. Bark Mantis – 1
16. Danceflies – 2
17. Camponotus sp. – 2 different species + C. sericeus red morph on Calotropis
18. Mud dauber Wasp – 2
19. Tetraponera rufonigra

Arachnids
1. Daddy Long Legs (Pholcidae)
2. Wolf Spider (Lycosidae)
3. Orb Weaver (Araneidae)
4. Ground Spider (Gnaphosidae)
5. Nursery Web Spider (Pisauridae)
6. Two Tailed Spider (Hersilidae)
7. Jumping Spiders (Salticidae)

Photographs:

Some Garden flowers...

Jatropha podagrica - An ornamental plant showing brilliant red inflorescence, it is in fact native from tropical America. Jewel Bugs (Scutelleridae) are commonly seen on this plant.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Another ornamental tree of the gardens.

Some wild flowers...

Vernonia cinerea - A herb of Asteraceae family.
Murdannia (wightii/simplex?) - A small herb with beautifully designed flower can be easily missed. But if only you look carefully will you see it's beauty.

Justicia procumbens - An abundant herb, easily seen during the ongoing season.

Impatiens (balsamina?) - Another common plant, commonly called Balsam. Abundant during Monsoon, even near railway tracks.

Neanotis lancifolia - Another yet beautiful, very small herb dusting the green lawns with pink dots.

Trichodesma indicum - Also called Indian Borag, this herb has many medicinal properties. The photograph was taken in it's natural state. The flowers are always head-down!

Unidentified flower - Probably in the family of Fabaceae. An entire image showing it's entire length is given below.

Few more herbs...

Neanotis lancifolia - I showed the close-up of the flowers. This is a habitat as well as full-length shot of the entire herb.

Unidentified Herb - Many white flowers adorned some patches of grasslands. The leaves were thin and needle-like.

Another Unidentified Herb - This is how the Yellow flowered herb looks like. Any idea which one it it?

Yet another unidentified herb - Many of these small plants were seen just near the lake - and never far from it.

And another tiny herb I failed to identify. This is the smallest and most beautiful of them all. Any idea?

A full-length shot of a flowering grass. The grass in the above image was also very common everywhere.

Flowers and Fruits of grass. Scaly Breasted Munias were seen feeding on it.

From insects to birds...

Camponotus sp. - This ant was cheating! It was feeding on the nectar of Bauhinia. So what's cheating in that? Flowers produce nectar to attract insects and thereby help in pollination. But, look at the image above and below - the ant is going directly to the base of the stamens - thereby getting the nectar without pollinating. That's cheating.
Another Camponotus sp. (above image) seen busying itself on Calotropis. Many were seen at the base of the leaves.

Camponotus sp. are in news again. This time, tending to Aphids (I will speak on it later). So we have Camponotus ants cheating on a flower, doing something 'neath leaves and now tending to Aphids. These ants sure were the most abundant animal at Karjat.

Camponotus sericeus (most probably!) - Catch of the day! This is a Morph of the C. sericeus ants - with a large red head. Also considered rare, it is a brave ant with a determination to bite any intruders. I had mentioned of C. sericeus - Common Golden Ants - in the post on "Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve" June 2009. The above image is clearly distinguishable. I am yet to come across C. sericeus around Mumbai region, so this find made me happy :). The ant in the above image, and several of her sisters were defending a Calotropis plant ferociously. They did not like me around them. I then searched the ground - but none were seen on it. I counted about 4 individuals on Calotropis, one of them was smaller as compared to the image above.


Tetraponera rufonigra - Commonly called Bicoloured Arboreal Ant, it goes by it's common name. A relative of the ant I posted in the latest Yeoor Hills report. It's sting is nasty!

Pseudagrion rubriceps - A beautiful fast damselfly that took a lot of my time running behind them. It was seen at a stream, infact there were so many of these - more damselflies than dragonflies! If you see last year's Karjat post, you will know.
The above picture shows a mating pair of P. rubriceps. The above flying one is a male and the lower one in water is female. They layed eggs on grass blades in the flowing streams with approx. 1 feet deep water. The male never let's the female go to lay eggs separately to avoid other males from mating with her. Thus, he ensures that his progeny survives the future. Took a lot of time to capture this moment. It was worth it!

Ceriagrion coromandelianum - Another damselfly that was seen pretty far from any waterbody - this is very usual of C. coromandelianum.

Trithemis aurora - A male T. aurora carries crimson colour that literally glows. It is a small and cute dragonfly, fond of streams.

Unidentified Dragonfly - The above image shows a female Dragonfly. Dimorphism in sexes is clearly distinguishable in Odonata, and many scientific as well as common names are derrived from the colours displayed by the males - which are most colourful than their counterparts, females which carry a rather drape colour combination.

Trithemis festiva - Another cute and dark blue coloured Libellulid, it is rather fond of forest streams, but there were 3 of these at this rather-open stream.

Can you spot-the-mantis in the above picture? That's a Bark Mantis.

Orthoptera nymph - An interesting find according to me. If you compare the above critter with the Camponotus ants, you might even think that this nymph mimics those ants. That's what I thought. It was sitting pretty on Calotropis leaf, very small in size. I dont think it is that of a Grasshopper (Caelifera), I would strike out Katydid (Tettigoniidae) nymph also. Perhaps it is the nymph of a Cricket (Gryllidae) due to thick femur, tiny visible cerii and my bet.

Danceflies - These really tiny flies, getting nectar out of Neanotis lancifolia, were seen by chance. I happened to lay down to click these pretty flowers being tended by the flies. And by chance, two of them started dancing! Danceflies belong to Empidae. They dont actually "Dance" but their "displays" seem as if they are dancing - as is one of the flies in the image above.

Aphids - Every gardenists' nightmare and every farmer's worst enemy. These tiny rather cute looking bugs are considered pests all over the world. Their size is almost 2 to 3 mm, really small - but it's their sheer number and the way they reproduce that is of concern to us. They give birth to live young ones, and u will see many of these as tiny yellow dots in the image above. Aphids belong to Hemiptera - and feed on plant sap. Ants tend to these bugs for their sugary excretions, and thus get protected in return. Many were seen on Calotropis.

Mud Dauber Wasp -A mommy wasp was busy bringing food for her youngones in her home. Mud dauber wasps are one of the extremely nice mum wasps. They build a "nest" like in the picture above and lay eggs. Then they go to hunt for food such as insects, sting them and thereby paralyse them - and bring them back to their nest. The paralysed prey do not die, they just can not move. After stacking the nest with enough food material...see the next image.

...the Wasp closes the door to her nest, and flies off. Now the home contains lots of food and eggs. The eggs hatch - devour the prey - break open the locked house - and fly away.
A Nettle Caterpillar - Probably that of Limacodidae, those thorny spines can give a nasty sting.

An unidentified moth so small and so intricately designed...

Agaristinae sp. - A pretty moth very common during Monsoon, the last Yeoor Hills post contained it's picture. This time, it was attracted by the light and preferred posing in the above manner. The image below show's it's upper-wings.

Plain Tiger - A very common, beautiful butterfly basking in the sun.

Dark Grass Blue - A tiny Lycaenid butterfly.

Danaid Eggfly - Male - Very common during this season. Males are territorial and are often seen shooing away rival males. Its a treat to watch these butterflies "fight", for it seems as if they are dancing!

Common Gull - Seen here sipping nectar off Lantana camara. A weed that got so used to our forests that it is not surprising to see it in dense forests. It is one serious insect attractant and a good one to experiment photographing butterflies. Also used abundantly in "Butterfly Gardens".

Common Indian Crow - Seen here getting "that extra potion". The damaged plant is Heliotropium indicum. If you read SGNP report posted in July 2009, you will know for sure.
Above image is a close-up of Eulpoea core on H. indicum
Above image is that of a "Spider Retreat" rather a house of a spider. It was small and covered by a thin layer of silk, like a door - probably to keep rain away.

Two-tailed Spider - Belongong to Hersilidae, these "bark" dwelling spiders are excellent camouglage. This fellow was photographed in the night. Commonly called so because of two "Tail" like projections at the end of the abdomen, which is in fact two spinnerets - from where Spiders spin their silk.

Hanging by own silk? - A title suiting the above picture, only thing is it doesnt mean the spider commited suicide. It is actually a Spider-molt. Lets not forget spiders are Arthropods - and to live, they must molt. The above molt was that of a Nursery Web Spider, Family Pisauridae (See SGNP June 2009 Post).

Daddy-long Legs! - A common sight, eeky and... ugly. No way one likes them walking on them! But worry not! They are our friends! Keep mosquitoes and dust away, however spoil the decor of home. They are tiny and may seem brain-less but are loving mothers. Will guard the eggs as well as spiderlings dearly.

Rana tigrina - a big fat frog, put on the brink of near extinction, thanks to our apetite for frog legs! Things have changed now, however. This fellow still has a future.

...and a small froggy!

Polypedates sp. - A Tree Frog. It was nicely perched high on a pipeline, and we were extensively searching for it in the thickets!

Rana malabarica - Commonly called "Fungoid Frog" since it "emits" a kind of fungi-like smell. I have never observed it. A Western Ghat endemic, it is one of the beautiful frogs seen around Mumbai. It was high on my wish list, higher still during night trail, but I stumbled across this fellow sheltered in a concrete hole on the next day. You always find the unexpected in unexpected places. This is what makes wildlife an addiction.

Unidentified Gecko - Perhaps a Bark Gecko? I have no idea.

Skink - Probably Brahminy Skink - beautifully jucilicious for snakes. It was seen licking its lips after a nice snack of ants!
Daboia russelii: Russell's Viper - Dream come true!
...and it vanished into rocks.

Black Shouldered Kite - Seen hovering over the lake.

Little Cormorant - Shot late in evening.

Mystery bird - I bet on Pied Cuckoo.

Indian Robin - A juvenile, seen feeding on the ground.

Fence - Something that separates us from nature.

Landscapes...

Goats feasting on lush green grass. A merrry sight, but mere sign of destruction. It is of growing concern to the Forest Depts., keeping shepherds at bay from the Protected Areas.

...a lone tree standing tall at the edge of a hill. Hope this is not a common scene in years to come...

Water summed upon forestland by the Dam.

Goodbye :)