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9022303433_4086a4dcee_s

What

Common Indian Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 10, 2012

Photos

8272335986_c0165b29b5_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 25, 2012 05:02 PM IST

Photos

8249711748_0d4b8da93b_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Dec 6, 2012 03:31 PM IST

Description

Very few pictures found on the internet, all from around Burma and Malay Peninsula.

Unlike other jumping spiders Phaeacius is unusually sedentary, generally resting in its unusual flattened pose for hours or days on logs, pieces of wood or any other solid surface, where it is very well camouflaged. Its preferred prey is moths and other insects, and jumping spiders.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeacius)

Size: 1.5cm (body only)

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8246061629_7bca743f3d_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 30, 2012

Description

Found this frog resting on a leaf just 5 feet above the ground.

On closer inspection its deformed limb became apparent.

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Photos

8232182264_9f81988454_s

What

pill millipedes Family Sphaerotheriidae

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 1, 2012 02:18 PM IST

Photos

8222682165_304628d688_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 24, 2012 02:44 PM IST

Description

This frog is seen with a pale green dorsum as opposed to this( breeding season changes perhaps): http://www.flickr.com/photos/vipinbaliga/7423716926/in/set-72157625945175638

Listed as Vulnerable because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 20,000 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. (Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/58847/0

Reproductive mode in the shrub frog Philautus glandulosus, an article here: http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/feb102003/283.pdf

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Photos

8211183700_b8a96f91b4_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 21, 2012 05:40 PM IST

Description

One of the largest Caterpillars around I guess... :-)

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Photos

8208339430_4b1eaa651f_s

What

Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 15, 2012 02:40 PM IST

Description

Here you can see the habitat and the sheer height he had attained, in search of sunlight perhaps.

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8208339444_3fee217f81_s

What

Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 15, 2012

Description

Cropped from the original.

Found this guy high up a huge tree,more than 15m above the ground. He eventually climbed up to the branch on top and just basked.

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Photos

8201672357_7d0cd714b6_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 20, 2012 03:06 PM IST

Description

When a Weaver Ant is infected by this parasitic fungus (Ophiocordyceps spp) the behavior of the ants is dramatically changed. They become erratic and zombie-like, and are manipulated by the fungus into dying at a spot that provides optimal conditions for fungal reproduction.

The growing fungus fills the ant's body and head causing muscles to atrophy and forcing muscle fibres apart. The fungus also affects the ant's central nervous system which force it to walk in a random manner, unable to find their way home.

The ant will eventually die as the fungus erupts out of its body, causing some pretty dramatic displays as above.

Entire colonies can be destroyed by this deadly fungus...
But here is good news: Ant colonies attacked by the zombie-ant fungus can survive with the help of a second parasite that castrates’ zombie-ant fungus thus keeping the infectious spores in check.(Source: www.futurity.org/top-stories/parasite-castrates-zombie-an...)

Sources: diorealskills.org/2012/09/20/social-parasites-are-as-old-...

www.biology-blog.com/blogs/permalinks/5-2011/zombie-ants-...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_unilateralis

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Photos

8193274018_07cdcca8cc_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 20, 2012 05:26 PM IST

Photos

8190620358_8db54b29a3_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 6, 2012 03:25 PM IST

Description

Initially I thought it was the spider (Cyclosa ssp?) which had the Robber fly in its grasp. But I was really surprised when I zoomed in on the photograph in my camera.

In the next few seconds the Robber fly took off and and the dead spider just dropped to the ground.

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No photos

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 13, 2012

Description

A juvenile Winged Gliding frog - male resting on a leaf.

The fly seen at the right was immediately consumed when it landed on the frog's snout.

Size: 2cm approx
Tail stub still present.

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Photos

8182023220_e2d7cff1ef_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 8, 2012 06:48 PM IST

Description

Requesting the ID of this Nyctibatrachus... Size:2.5cm

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Photos

8168552606_4e442c2dc9_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 8, 2012 09:29 AM IST

Description

Because two males will readily fight each other, either in a natural setting, or if put together, they are commonly known as "fighting spider" in South-east Asia.

These spiders are commonly kept in matchboxes with a piece of green leaf and a spat of saliva for moisture.

A spider that wins fight after fight gets the status of "first king". A common belief is that the darkest males are most aggressive.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiania_bhamoensis

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Photos

8166293087_b4f2378b90_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Nov 6, 2012

Description

Stick insects can reproduce parthenogenetically, without the need for males.

Unmated females produce eggs that become more females.
When a male does manage to mate with a female, there's a 50/50 chance their offspring will be male.
A captive female stick insect can produce hundreds of all-female offspring without ever mating.
There are species of stick insects for which scientists have never found any males.
Stick insects hold the record for longest insects in the world.

Stick insects not only look like sticks, they act like them, too.... :-)

Source: http://insects.about.com/od/stickandleafinsects/a/10-facts-stick-insects.htm

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Photos

8126895885_375ecfb248_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 25, 2012 12:00 PM IST

Description

I believe this picture shows how powerful and efficient hunters these Damselflies are.

This damselfly caught the cranefly mid air. Started devouring, head first... :-)

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Photos

8112028032_12f02f5df1_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 19, 2012 02:23 PM IST

Description

Requesting the ID of this Mantis.

Size: 4.5cm approx

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Photos

8104426963_353f46bf18_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 16, 2012 09:45 AM IST

Description

At the first sight it appeared to be predation, but it was actually molting(?)

I have seen the Leafhoppers molt before, the shed skin didn't appear to be so drastically different in appearance as in this case.

The shed skin looks like this: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84080

Requesting explanation from the Experts... :-)

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8099282968_27ea21d657_s

What

Longhorn Beetles Family Cerambycidae

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 16, 2012 01:15 PM IST

Description

Requesting the ID of this spectacular looking Beetle...

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Photos

8082274693_9f98153b18_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 8, 2012 03:41 PM IST

Description

I found this relatively larger Threadlegged Assassin bug walking on a tree bark.
Larger relative to this: www.flickr.com/photos/vipinbaliga/8079349594/in/photostream

A short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo44N-7Bn7Q

Very interesting info: Some Stenolemus sp. spends nearly its entire life (moulting, feeding, mating) in spider webs. It preys upon a variety of spiders, including webs and nests of spiders of Achaearanea, Badumna, Pholcus, and Stiphidion, and the families Salticidae and Uloboridae.

A particular species - S.bituberus has two attack methods: stalking and luring. Stalking involves the slow approach of S. bituberus to a prey, followed by a period of tapping the prey with antennae (usually for an extended period of ~3 minutes), and then sudden stabbing with the bug's rostrum.

"Luring" involves plucking of the strands of the spider web by S. bituberus. The prey comes over to investigate and S. bituberus again taps with antennae before stabbing with the rostrum."

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/5187823305

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Photos

8079349594_63d34c4410_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 12, 2012 02:49 PM IST

Description

Size: 1cm approx (body only)

Very interesting info: Some Stenolemus sp. spends nearly its entire life (moulting, feeding, mating) in spider webs. It preys upon a variety of spiders, including webs and nests of spiders of Achaearanea, Badumna, Pholcus, and Stiphidion, and the families Salticidae and Uloboridae.

A particular species - S.bituberus has two attack methods: stalking and luring. Stalking involves the slow approach of S. bituberus to a prey, followed by a period of tapping the prey with antennae (usually for an extended period of ~3 minutes), and then sudden stabbing with the bug's rostrum.

"Luring" involves plucking of the strands of the spider web by S. bituberus. The prey comes over to investigate and S. bituberus again taps with antennae before stabbing with the rostrum."

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/5187823305/

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Photos

8076453569_b792c331a8_s

What

Antlions Family Myrmeleontidae

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 10, 2012

Description

A beautiful Antlion Lacewing :-)

Tags

Photos

8073510527_a30ca27647_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 10, 2012 03:28 PM IST

Description

Look at this Crab Spider in ambush, patiently waiting for that unsuspecting victim...

Death waiting on a medicinal Holy Basil flower...!!! Now, that is interesting... ;-)

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Photos

8070382190_a2a540d0bd_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Oct 1, 2012 04:55 PM IST

Description

The spider is seen feeding on a Planthopper.

Any idea what that white mass is?

Photos

8026167769_c775ae694a_s

What

Giant Crab Spiders Family Sparassidae

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Sep 24, 2012 04:17 PM IST

Description

Huntsman Spider with egg sac- Olios sp for ID

I couldn't help but notice the red patches on her fangs.

Size: 4cm approx

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Photos

8008682398_8963f2692e_s

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Sep 10, 2012

Description

Philautus luteolus Blinking

A transparent inner eyelid is called the nictating membrane. It protects the frog's eyes when the animal is underwater. :-)

If you've ever noticed a frog blinking when it eats, it's because it uses its eyeballs to swallow. It can't chew its food effectively, or use its tongue to push food down its throat, so instead it uses its eyes. The eyes sink down into the skull, pushing the food along..!! :-D

From: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/vanishing-frogs/anatomy/frog-eyes.html

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Square

Observer

vipinbaliga

Date

Aug 18, 2012

Description

Smaller than a Housefly. A juvenile I guess.

Requesting the ID...

Size: Less than 1cm

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Redo search in map area
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