Reared. 10 adults emerged and no bugs.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/198115916
The caterpillar died and the next day I found these next to the dead body.
Dead caterpillar. Long thin worms coming out of it. Seems to have died because of the worms.
Golden-backed Frog
Mushroom grown on frog body
This moth was zombified by the fungus that grew inside and eventually over it. Would be grateful it someone can idee the fungus too
Location: AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Date: 10th December 2021
Fungus on a rotting twig. About 2-3 cm across
Image source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/9971320676/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/9971305346/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/9971269835/
The 3rd photo is for illustration purpose.
Please note the rare natural phenomenon in this observation - Gardenia latifolia has risen (grown) on Miliusa tomentosa.
Sahyadri blue oakleaf
look closely thers a fly on the head of that ant
Observations took place around Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Observations took place on the outskirts of Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Not sure if the white stuff are parasites or part of the caterpillar itself
The last flowers of the Palash season this year.
Oecophylla sp. red tree ants herding a caterpillar of Large Oakblue
Host plant: Terminalia arjuna
Property nature trail
SPIDER FLIES !
Family :Acroceridae,
These flies are endoparasitoids of spiders, developing within spiders and killing them on development.
In the month of July 2020, I was doing farm work & was cleaning & manuring Avocado plant. Its a habit for all macro lovers to turn leaf, whenever possible. The same happened that day. I was bit tiered digging & manuring. While relaxing it happened to turn leaves which is habitual !
Interestingly I saw a dead spider which was on sac. It was so disfigured that I couldn't make out what it was ?
But looking at overall character it should be from family clubionidae or it can be Asemonea species from salticidae family .
I also found a pupa of some insect near to it. I thought it should be of some wasp, a parasitoid wasp. As wasps are number one enemies of spiders other than humans!
I decided to observe the outcome . But it was not possible to observe it the whole day . Any time an insect inside can come out. I was damn curious about what was inside !
So , I decided to put the whole leaf in a plastic container
After 1 week , early morning 7:00 am , when I checked there was an insect coming out of pupa.
My guess was totally wrong. it was not a wasp nor a bee & it was a fly !
I contacted Mr. Sankararaman & he pointed to a member from the family Acroceridae .
These are bit rare creatures & they lay eggs on spider's abdomen & larva develop inside by eating all spiders vital organs till spider dies. later emerges out to for pupa !
pupa then develops to form fly.
what a exiting creature !
July 2020
Indraprastha
Id credits : @sankararaman.s
Wolf spider eating a frog (Rhacophorus lateralis)