by Krishna Mohan
White-rumped Munia
The White-rumped Munia or White-rumped Mannikin (Lonchura striata). These are close relatives of the true finches (Fringillidae) and true sparrows (Passeridae).
The White-rumped Munia is approximately 10 to 11 cm in length, with a stubby grey bill and a long black pointed tail. The adults are brown above and on the breast, and lighter below; the rump is white. This is theLonchura striata striata (Linnaeus, 1766) subspecies – Southwestern White-rumped Munia found in Southern Indian mainland. It has Dark chocolate-brown above, white below.
The White-rumped Munia is a common resident breeder ranging from South Asia to southern China east to Taiwan, and through Southeast Asia south to Sumatra; it frequents open woodland, grassland and scrub, and is well able to adapt to agricultural land use. It is a gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds, moving through the undergrowth in groups and sometimes accompanying other birds such as Puff-throated Babblers (Pellorneum ruficeps). The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, bush or grass into which 3-8 white eggs are laid.
It is a common and widespread bird across its large range, and is thus not considered a threatened species by the IUCN. In fact, it may locally become a nuisance pest of millets and similar grains. Even the Nicobar Islands subspecies with its limited range seems to be able to cope well with human settlement. As it is a drab-colored and rather reclusive bird inhabiting dense undergrowth, the White-rumped Munia is not necessarily conspicuous even where it occurs in considerable numbers.
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF400mm f/5.6L USM
Exposure Mode:
Auto exposure
Exposure Time:
1/400 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/6.3
ISO Used:
500
Flash Used:
Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
400.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:07:12 17:01:55
GPS Location in Google Map:
unknown (no GPS data)
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
Tags: birds, Bondel, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM, Canon EOS 5D mark II, Fringillidae, Lonchura striata, Passeridae, White-rumped Mannikin, White-rumped Munia
Posted in Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Comments (0)
by Krishna Mohan
Handmaiden Moth
These mating Amata cyssea moths commonly known as Handmaiden moths that are day-flying members of the Arctiidae or Tiger moth family and Subfamily Syntominae. They mimic wasps in their body and coloration. Even for a predator who does not get deterred by wasps, the occasional bright body colors usually advertise a bad taste, so Handmaidens flourish.
The genitalia are asymmetric in both sexes. In the male the tegumen has prominent lateral lobes. The valves have strong, curved, asymmetric processes from the base of the costa and are themselves asymmetric. The aedeagus vesica contains a row (or rows if it has more than one lobe) of small cornuti, some of which can become very long. In the female genitalia the ostium is set asymmetrically between the eighth and seventh tergites.
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Exposure Mode:
Manual exposure
Exposure Time:
1/200 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/8.0
ISO Used:
100
Flash Used:
Flash fired, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
100.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:06:28 12:44:32
GPS Location in Google Map:
12° 56' 3.8" N, 74° 55' 14" E, 19 m.a.s.l.
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
Tags: Amata cyssea, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, Canon EOS 5D mark II, Canon MT-24EX macro twin light flash, Gurupur, Handmaiden Moth, Insect, mating
Posted in Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Comments (2)
by Krishna Mohan
Inchworm moth caterpillar
This curious looking caterpillar was found inside Kadri Park in Mangalore when I went for a stroll on Sunday afternoon. Light was terribly bright and I had no flash with me nor any method to shade. This moth caterpillar belongs to family Geometridae. Most probably caterpillar of Dysphania militaris moth. It is called Inch Worm because of its peculiar locomotion pattern. It was acting as though it is bud on top of that twig which it had finished eating. the shrub was full of these caterpillars.
Many Geometrids moths have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hind wings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings.
The name Geometer (earth-measurer) refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack most of the prolegs of other Lepidopteran caterpillars. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment – creating the impression that it is measuring its journey. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers, spanworms, or inchworms. They tend to be green, grey, or brownish and hide from predators by fading into the background or resembling twigs. Some have humps or filaments (see Filament-bearer image). They are seldom hairy or gregarious. Typically they eat leaves. However, some eat lichen, flowers or pollen. Some, such as the Eupithecia, are even carnivorous.
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Exposure Mode:
Manual exposure
Exposure Time:
1/200 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/5.6
ISO Used:
400
Flash Used:
Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
100.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:06:14 14:13:55
GPS Location in Google Map:
12° 53' 18.1" N, 74° 51' 23.7" E, 669 m.a.s.l.
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
Tags: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, Canon EOS 5D mark II, caterpillar, Dysphania militaris, Geometrid moth caterpillar, Inchworm moth, Insect, Mangalore, moth
Posted in Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Comments (1)
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