Afoot: Exploring the Northern Western Ghats
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1 fdf Afoot: exploring the Northern Western Ghats …with an Eye for Insects and Other Living Things Aniruddha Dhamorikar
description
A corrigendum, published on July 8, 2012. A compilation of photo-documented flora and fauna during the monsoon of 2011 in the northern Western Ghats, India.
Transcript of Afoot: Exploring the Northern Western Ghats
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fdf
Afoot: exploring the
Northern
Western Ghats
…with an Eye for Insects and Other Living Things
Aniruddha Dhamorikar
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Afoot: Exploring the Northern Western Ghats …with an Eye for Insects and Other Living Things
· by Aniruddha Dhamorikar
A Monsoon Trails 2011 Report Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 Original PDF File Name: Afoot Exploring NWG.pdf File Size: 34.1 MB Front cover: Overlooking the western ranges of Sahyadri from Mahuli Fort Frontispiece: Pogostemon deccanensis at Korigad Back cover: Misty forests of Matheran © Aniruddha Dhamorikar, All Rights Reserved.
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CONTENTS (clickable titles)
Title Page 1. Prologue 4 Concerning
2. Sahyadri 6 3. Monsoon 7 4. Abbreviations 8 5. People 9 6. Littering Folk 10 7. Places 12 8. Habitats 27 9. Methodology 38 Concerning
10. Flora 39 11. The Diversity of Plants 41 12. Fungi 52 13. Mushrooms and Toadstools 53 14. Invertebrates 56 15. The Unsung Invertebrates 57 16. Insecta 59 17. Coleoptera 61 18. Lepidoptera 68 19. Hemiptera 79 20. Odonata 84 21. Diptera 92 22. Hymenoptera 102 23. Wasps 102 24. Ants 107 25. Bees 112 26. Orthoptera 114 27. Other Insect Orders 119
Title Page
28. Neuroptera 120 29. Mecoptera 121 30. Plecoptera 121 31. Blattodea 121 32. Mantodea 122 33. Phasmatodea 124 34. Arachnida 125 35. Araneae 127 36. Acarina 137 37. Scorpiones 138 38. Fishes 139
Concerning 39. Key Observations 140 40. Threats to Sahyadris 144 41. This Report 146 42. Bibliography 147 43. Index 149
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Prologue
The Sahyadri welcomed us with arms wide open, as we emerged
from the dense, humid thickets at the foothills. We stood on the
edge of a bastion, overlooking the jagged landscape and cherishing
the blowing wind on our face. The day was bright with a few fluffy
monsoon clouds passing silently along the edge of the plateau. The
flowers of Senecio lay dancing at our feet, with the Sahyadris
providing one of the most spectacular stages there ever has been
laid to dance upon. Here, like in several other places that I explored
this Monsoon, lay a paradise atop the high plateaus and deep
jungles of the northern ranges of the Western Ghats.
The Western Ghats bisect the city of Mumbai and Pune by tall
ridges, and stretch north over hundreds of kilometers – to the
southern boundary of the state of Gujarat, and, running parallel to
the Arabian coast, are drawn down to the very feet of India in
Kanyakumari in the state of Kerala. These ranges separate the
coastal plains of the west, the Konkan, from the Deccan plateau of
central India. The Ghats encompass rich ecosystems of evergreens
and rainforests, from Sholas of the southerly states, to moist
deciduous and semi-evergreen forests in north of Karnataka, and
gradually transform in Maharashtra into ragged mountains with
flat tops – built one on top of the other, until they run further
northwards towards Gujarat as mountains undulating amidst vast
plains that lay to the east and west. These ranges are called the
Sahyadri, although the name is more commonly used to the jagged,
step-like mountains that are mostly found along the western rim of
Karnataka and Maharashtra. And it is here that I and my friends
spent our weekends, scouring the landscape for the largest to the
smallest thing that we could find.
Afoot: Exploring the Northern Western Ghats is an attempt to
encompass all that we could observe and photograph through the
hours trodden on many forts, on rocky paths and on animal trails,
in streams and under thickets, in heat and in rain. Although the
name signifies a rather large part of the range; it only focuses on the
regions explored around the major cities of Mumbai and Pune,
stretching down to Kolhapur. It is a journal expressing my immense
pleasure to live amidst this rich ecosystem, and to explore this
landscape in the light of the day and the dark of the night.
Most of the expeditions that we led were in the months from June
to September, however I find it crucial to include here the days ere
monsoon and post-monsoon, as the gradual transition provides a
broader picture of how the subdued life unfurls from the hottest to
the wettest climes in the Sahyadri. Therefore, I have decided to
include the month of May – for the scarce but diverse flora and
fauna dearly expecting the arrival of the thunders, and October –
for the copious and diverse flora and fauna engrossed in love and
in preparation of another long wait, into this report.
This photo-document is a part of the Monsoon Trails Report that I
began writing in 2007. It contains information on the places I visited
– focusing more on insects, spiders and flowers photographed over
a period of six months. It may not acknowledge the commonest
insect seen in the regions explored, but it does not mean that they
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do not exist. Thus, you may find this report lacking in a lot of
species; it is only because they are already well known in their
distribution, and there are those that I may have been unfortunate
to notice at all. Effort has been made to highlight all the findings,
however, and I‟ve strived to document the behaviour of every
animal seen.
It should be noted that this report is not a field guide, for it is not
specific to any group of animal or plant, but you may find it useful
if you come across the same organism which I have, on which there
have been no identification guides available. At the same time, this
report also documents several animals, those that I have failed to
identify for the lack of expert guidance, and those that I may have
misidentified. And hence I also seek your help in obtaining the
identifications of such animals.
Lastly, and in brief, this report has been divided and categorized
according to the biological classification, keeping plants, and fungi,
and keeping animals, in which insects, arachnids, (and notes on)
fish, each in their own sections. At the very end of the report is an
Index of the Common and the Binomial names – wherever
applicable – of the organisms covered under this document. The
tone of the document is not scientific, and is steered towards a
general audience, but care has been taken to correctly acknowledge
the binomial names.
The views expressed in this report are solely that of the author and do not
represent the views of the name of persons mentioned in this report.
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Concerning Sahyadri
The Western Ghats, so called for their westerly existence as a chain
of mountains stretching roughly fifteen thousand kilometers, came
into existence over one-hundred million years ago when India split
with Madagascar. These ranges are a rich haven for wildlife –
harbouring myriad of life forms from the simplest plants to the
most complex animals – more than a dozen of them endemic to the
region.
They are bestowed with different names as you move up its
backbone, such as Sahay Parvatam in Kerala, Nilagiri Malai in Tamil
Nadu, and Sahyadri in Karnataka and Maharashtra, with smaller
ranges bearing titles of historical and ecological significance; but the
„Ghats‟ are especially recognized by most. Ghat literally means a
series of steps to a water body; and a difficult climb up a mountain
pass – and Ghats in context of Sahyadri are just that, albeit on a vast
scale of several kilometers, where one „step‟ may be a three
thousand feet sheer climb followed by a pathar – a plateau, and
going upwards still until ending either into a blunt mountain or a
pointed apex.
These ancient ranges have played a crucial role in shaping of the
lands and all the living organisms inhabiting this ecosystem –
including humans. The landscape upon the towering plateaus is
anything like that at its feet –grasses mainly dominate this niche,
and a number of endemics inhabit this place. The foothills are
strewn with broad-leaved semi-deciduous trees, where one may
find scarce or dense undergrowth, and animals that have adapted
to these forests. Our kind, too, has sought shelter in the natural
citadels, building walls of stone iron strong, and watchtowers
looking over the low-lying landscapes. And as early settlers such as
Dravidians and Buddhists, and kingdoms of old such as the
Marathas and the Moguls came and went, they brought in the
riches of cultures that are now closely entwined with the natural
wonder of these Ghats. Today, the intricately carved caves to
handsomely hewn forts, where none may reside anymore, form a
man-made monument of dirt and stone for the animals and plants
to dwell and flourish.
It is no wonder that man chose the highest accessible peaks as the
place of rest, since the weather here is always rather bearable if not
too hot in summer months, and cool if not too cold in winter
months, and full of freshwater if not too wet in monsoon months.
The Western Ghats are much like a wall of stone separating the
coastal plains from the eastern plateaus. When the monsoons arrive
from south, these ranges block their passage into the interior of
India, thus creating rain-abundant and rain-shadow regions on its
opposite ends – with the coastal plains receiving utmost amount of
rain, while the plateau regions to the east remain in drought. Yet in
winter, the high altitudinal plateaus are colder than the sultry
coastal regions.
The Ghats therefore provide a unique geography in terms of
climate, which has resulted in harbouring diverse flora and fauna
from organisms that are found exclusively in the wet season, to
those in the dry, and those resident throughout the year.
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Concerning Monsoon
Every year when the clock hits twelve and the date changes to 1st of
June, my countdown for the rain begins. This year, too, I waited for
the arrival of monsoon with same enthusiasm, but I‟m not the only
one. It is a respite from the hot, hot summer of the coastal region,
with a promise of lush green meadows and nomadic gushing
streams. From a sparrow that keeps its beak open, panting in the
sun, to a dog with its long tongue hanging low from its face, and
men who curse Mumbai for its oppressive weather, to farmers who
patiently wait for the rains to awash the parched fields, everyone
awaits the first showers.
The Monsoon of India officially hits the southern coast on 7th of
June, and scales up the backbone progressively. This year, it arrived
a week early on the shores of Kerala. The first real monsoon
showers, in Mumbai, were experienced in the evening of 6th June –
a week earlier – as I watched it soak and rinse the layer of thick
dust settled on Eucalyptus trees near my home. The first few drops
set a chain reaction in the ground invisible to the naked eye, as
millions of bacterial spores dispersed into the air. This fragrance is
called petrichor. It has the capacity to freshen up a sleepy soul, to
light up a sad mood, to inspire someone to pen down their
descriptions of this absolute scent. Yet it is something that cannot
be caught in a jar, or captured into a photograph, or is extremely
difficultly jotted down in words. Ruskin Bond describes it as the
most exhilarating of all smells, and I couldn‟t agree more.
The rains ceased within a short span of time, and the Eucalyptus
leaves glistened in the golden streetlight. The world was washed
anew. Everything was fresh, brand-new from the eyes of a
newborn. It rained on the next evening as well, and this time the
display of lights and the thunder of the rolling clouds put up an
upbeat musical, and the trees swayed to their tune. The rain in the
month of June was fairly decent, and more-than-decent in the
following month, when it flooded twice. The month of August was
rather hot than wet, but Mumbai and the surrounding region had
recorded its average annual rainfall by then. September was rather
wet as well, with rains lashing the coast for a period of four days at
a stretch. By then the reservoirs providing water to the district of
Mumbai and Thane were full. These were further threatened of
flooding by the post-monsoonal thunderstorms in the month of
October that lasted well into the second week.
I saw the retreating monsoons from the top of Bhimashankar,
situated three thousand feet from the sea level. That was the last
time it rained. And so it was that rainy season came to an end with
a bang, just as it had arrived. In the city, the ruddy sky of the night
turned dark as ever. The leaves frowned as dust resettled on them,
and the scent of the rain was lost in vehicular exhaust.
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Concerning Abbreviations
EN = Endangered R = Rare TN = Threatened WIN = Western Ghats Endemic SIN = Endemic to Sahyadri (?) = Unidentified/ unsure of identification
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Concerning People
No journey is possible without help – or the slightest push – from
friends and family. I was fortunate that I was not just helped, but
pushed into the little crevices I could get into and narrowest ledge I
could walk upon. I am thankful for my parents for allowing me to
wander as a vagrant, equipped with just enough materials I could
manage. I am glad to shares a packet of biscuits with my friends
when we didn‟t carry much, and the countless hot chai breaks at
practically every tappri. If it were not for these wonderful folks, I
would not have wandered so far by myself. Neither would I drink
chai all alone.
My sincere gratitude goes out to my friend Dinesh, with whom I
claimed several forts, who guided me into the life of patience and
persistence when it comes to photo-trekking. To Alok, who is not
only a friend, but a kind facilitator of the plants of Sahyadri. To
Amol, from whom I learnt to notice the tiniest details in a butterfly
or a beetle. Siddarth, who tolerated me as I sat peering into a
puddle on a dark evening, and for fishing scorpions. And, to all my
trekking friends – from the youngest at heart to the eldest in
wisdom, without whom I‟d be hopelessly lost in the thick
woodlands – thank you! If it was not for their constant calling out
to me, urging me to push on, I‟d have never succeeded in
conquering any fort.
My heartfelt thanks to my friend Morgan Jackson – my fly guru;
Prof. Hegde – the only expert on Diptera I know from India; to Eric
Eaton, the amazing entomologist from across the ocean; John
Ascher, the bee-expert – also from across the ocean; James O‟Hara
and Thomas Pape, who so greatly responded to my little query
about an inconspicuous insect. Ryan Brookes and Roger Kendrick,
both prominent experts of the Moth world, have been a guiding
presence for more than a few years. All of them are doing
wonderful work in teaching us about the riches of the planet we
live in. I cannot thank them enough, but by putting their valuable
responses together as one document.
The kind folks of villages surrounding the hills and the peaks of
Sahyadri, who provided us the most delicious tea I‟ve ever drank,
who gave us shelter from a thunderstorm, who guided us when we
were utterly lost in the multitudes of trees, who, when we required
a push for our vehicle, eagerly came to our rescue, the elders who
talked of the wonderful years of yore, and those who would offer
us a pauncho or a place to lunch, all remain in my heart. Although
our associations were rather restricted to a few dialogues, I cannot
forget how glad they were to see us, as tourists, who provide them
with a living. And we were more than glad to receive their blessing.
Without them I‟d never realize that our world is rich with beautiful
people and equally beautiful creatures.
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Concerning Littering Folk
A calm stream carves its way on the forest floor, its bubbling waters
slowly modelling the sharp, shapeless stones into oval smooth-
edged pebbles. Trees at its banks tower as sentinels, guiding its way
to the valley, their serpentine roots embracing the clear cool waters.
Birds fly amongst the highest reaches of the hills that flank the
stream from both sides, and butterflies flutter in the boughs,
playing hide-and-seek with the sunrays as they slowly shift their
glance. This is nature; encompassing serenity and a sense of
belonging that one feels even in solitude. A quintessential exemplar
of nature. A timid leopard sipped through this stream in the night.
A herd of deer skittered its bank in alarm, creating ripples in the
still flowing waters. But the tranquility always prevailed, until…
Until they arrived. The stream became still and stagnant, its colour
turned red. Trees bore torturous scars carved deep in their bones.
The leopard forsook his drinking hole, and the deer vanished. They
had arrived. And they brought with them their tools, which they
left behind to slowly poison this secret abode. Everything became
utterly quiet – not the everlasting tranquility – the dead silence after
a terrible nightmare.
The trees bled where they were slashed and stabbed – the red ooze
resembling fresh blood. The stream, with its banks now heavy with
Styrofoam and polythene, cried a trickle from a clogged opening.
The Littering Folk cursed this place, and it will never regain its
peace again. The quintessence was lost.
The story of the Littering Folk is not new. It isn‟t even unheard of,
but it is rarely spoken of, and rarely ever shared. They come and
they go like the snow in the wind – steadily filling the valley, bit by
bit, except like snow, they never melt away.
These wandering people are no wizards, nor cruel, but what sets
them apart is their poor ignorant soul, the one that has somehow
managed to disconnect from nature, and has founded an identity of
its own. They carry it wherever they may roam, on city streets to
pristine forests. And that is why it‟s easy to trace them.
We all litter, even if we may dump ours in a garbage-bin – which
ultimately goes to an open landfill. But what sets them apart is their
habit of littering in cities as well as in wilderness. Their habit is
their nature – that is, they don‟t know what they‟re doing, although
they quite know why they‟re doing it. Their common perception
about littering is this: thou shalt not litter thy home, but thou may
dumpeth garbage in thy neighbour’s. It may not be their anthem, or it
won‟t make any grammatical sense, but those who throw garbage
out of their homes, or cars, on the road, or in the forests, know what
I‟m talking about.
Although I haven‟t met one yet, their presence is felt everywhere.
And if you feel their presence, you might as well give up your
chance of seeing a leopard. You‟ll perhaps be cursed to watch a
packet of chips perched upon a shrub.
Now these folk do not have a disease, or any addiction. They
simply lack awareness, which comes through education, but also
through self-realisation. What I mean is, many of the city folk know
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about plastics, how long they prevail in the world, what they do to
anyone that eats it, and how dirty it makes a place. And yet the
Littering Folk choose to, of course, litter, without realising its
dangers. There are two ways to solve their problem – one is simply
to clean after them, which we‟ve adopted. We remove the plastic
rubble that we may stumble upon in nature, and dump them in
their last resting place – the garbage bin. And if more of us adopt
this, we‟re only increasing the quality of the wilderness, so that
those affected by pollution start moving back in. Second is to create
mass awareness programs by the means of media, which does take
place in schools, sometimes on TV, or in newspapers, but not to the
scale where the Littering Folk may understand, and rarely in places
where they do litter.
The Littering Folk prevailed in all places this monsoon, and they
may still the next, and the following, but it is our responsibility to
reduce their impact on the ecosystems, for we belong to the same
kind, and we produce garbage too, and the least we can do to offset
our impact on the environment, in one of the many ways, is by
cleaning after them and educating them.
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Concerning Places
The northern Western Ghats are dotted with several protected areas, religiously preserved forests (sacred groves), forts, and other historically
significant ranges – and are sought by pilgrims, trekkers and naturalists alike.
Monsoon is an ideal season to observe many plants and animals that are seen exclusively during this season. Some plants, in fact, are so
particular that they flower only during the month of June, while some animals, such as a few frogs and insects, wouldn‟t dare face the summer
wrath of the Western Ghats.
We explored six protected areas, six historically significant regions, and two urban habitats. An inventory of my blog posts concerning the
places is given below.
Name of the Place Significance Nearest City/ Town Blog Link
1 Yeoor Hills (part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park) Protected Area Thane June 2011, July Part I, July Part II
2 Nagla Block (part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park) Protected Area Thane Monsoon June 2011 3 Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Vasai Tungareshwar 4 Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Pune Bhimashankar 5 Karnala Bird Sanctuary Protected Area Panvel Karnala 6 Matheran Ecological Sensitive Area Karjat Matheran 1, Matheran 2 7 Naneghat Historically Significant Area Junnar Naneghat 8 Tung Historically Significant Area Lonavla Tung 9 Lohagad Historically Significant Area Lonavla Lohagad
10 Manikgad Historically Significant Area Karjat Manikgad, Manikgad 2 11 Mahuli Historically Significant Area Asangaon Mahuli 12 Korigad Historically Significant Area Lonavla Korigad 13 Jijamata Udyan Zoo (Urban habitat) Mumbai Monsoon July Part I 14 Kolhapur (outskirt) Urban habitat Kolhapur -
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YEOOR HILLS – Protected Area (National Park) Lies to the eastern side of Kanheri Hills of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The habitat is predominantly moist- and dry-deciduous, with patches of secondary forests near the rim of the Park. A few meandering annual streams feed a larger river that runs through the heart of Yeoor. Large swathes of farmlands to the north-east mark the boundary of the City. It is easily approachable via road from the city of Thane.
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NAGLA BLOCK – Protected Area (National Park) Lies to the north of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, flanked by Vasai Creek. The habitat is mostly moist semi-deciduous forests, along with swathes of mangroves along the creek. It serves as the only corridor connecting SGNP with Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary to the north. Approachable via NH8.
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TUNGARESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY – Protected Area Lies further north of Nagla Block; it is a part of the Tungar Hills range. Covered predominantly by moist semi-deciduous forests, with a large density of semi-evergreen rainforest tree species. It is approachable from NH8.
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BHIMASHANKAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY – Protected Area It is one of the few sacred groves of Maharashtra. Lies on a 3000 feet tall plateau, dominated by semi-evergreen rainforests, meadows and grasslands, and riparian ecosystems. Approachable via Pune-Nashik Road, towards Rajgurunagar.
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KARNALA BIRD SANCTUARY – Protected Area A sanctuary south of Panvel, preserved around Karnala Fort; dominated by moist-semi deciduous forests, with undulating hills. Approachable from Kanyakumari-Panvel Road.
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MATHERAN – Ecological Sensitive Area A hill-station at about 2500 feet, with swathes of moist-semi deciduous forests and patches of semi-evergreen rainforests. Approachable from Neral Railway Station via train, and Neral-Matheran Road via MIDC Road.
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NANEGHAT – Historically Significant Region At a height of 2800 feet, one of the spectacular plateaus to explore during monsoons. It is a mountain-pass, used as a trade route used between Kalyan and Junnar in 200 BCE. Dominated by moist-deciduous forests along the foothills, and riparian ecosystems. Approachable from Major State Highway 2; the trek route lies to the left of the road while approaching from Mumbai.
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TUNG FORT – Historically Significant Region (Fort) A lone hill-fort standing at 1075 feet. The habitat is mainly dominated by grasslands, with peculiarly hill-slope plants taking root during monsoon seasons. Approachable from Malawli Railway Station near Lonavala.
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LOHAGAD – Historically Significant Region (Fort) A large stronghold, the foothills of this fort are dominated by deciduous forests, with large swathes of disturbed, secondary forests along the edges of the trek route. Plants growing exclusively on steep hill-slopes grow along the edges of the fort. It standing at around 3450 feet. Approachable from Malawli Railway Station near Lonavala.
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MANIKGAD – Historically Significant Region (Fort) A hill-fort at the height of 1900 feet, dominated by moist-semi deciduous forests, riparian and grassland-type ecosystems are common along the plateau. Approachable from the town of Chowk by road.
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MAHULI FORT – Historically Significant Region (Fort) At the height of 2815 feet, a fort atop a sheer mountain, Mahuli is dominated by moist-semi deciduous forests and a few meadows. Approachable from Asangaon Railway Station via rikshaw to the base of the temple.
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KORIGAD – Historically Significant Region (Fort) A fort situated at the height of about 929 feet. Dominated mostly by deciduous forests, with few meadows and riparian habitats. Approachable from Lonavala, situated near Shahpur and Amby Valley City.
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JIJAMATA UDYAN – Urban habitat (Zoo) One of the oldest zoos in India built in 1861. Contains many endangered, as well as exotic plant species. The local, un-caged diversity of this zoo is rich and understudied. Approachable from Byculla Railway Station on foot.
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KOLHAPUR – Urban habitat A large city situated south-east of Mumbai. The urban habitat of Kolhapur is rich with many species exclusively seen in Western Ghats, some of which not seen higher up in the northern Ghats. About 10 hours by road from Mumbai.
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Concerning Habitats
Western Ghats was declared as a biodiversity hotspot in the year 1988. Since then, it has attracted attention from world over, and the
„ecological-gold-rush‟ to this region picked pace. Many new species were discovered – and continue to be discovered in this ecological mine,
some of which are found nowhere else on the planet.
What makes Western Ghats so rich is the diversity of ecosystems – from micro to macro – the dense undergrowth to clear meadows, and dense
forestlands to large lakes, rivers and creeks. The habitats that were explored during our expedition were mostly moist-, dry- and semi-
deciduous forests that are peculiar of the northern Western Ghats. As well as few rainforest patches spread sparsely over the Ghats, and the
riparian ecosystems exclusively seen during monsoon months – from forest streams to large rivers, grasslands on largely flat plateaus and
meadows along the edge of the Ghats.
Type of Habitat Place Month 1 Sahyadris (an overall landscape) Manikgad September 2 Dry Deciduous Yeoor May 3 Semi Deciduous Lohagad August 4 Perennial Stream Yeoor May 5 Shrubland Tung July 6 Meadows Lohagad August 7 Forest Stream Naneghat August 8 Perennial Lake Korigad October 9 Plateau Grasslands Manikgad September
10 Exotic Plantations Matheran August
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SAHYADRIS MANIKGAD SEPTEMBER
It is interesting to find a variety of habitats within a small region in the Western Ghats. With every passing mountain, you‟re bound to find yourself in habitats ranging from deciduous forests and shrublands, to riparian and grassland ecosystems – all spread over a few kilometers.
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DRY DECIDUOUS YEOOR MAY
Dry-deciduous forests are predominant in the Sahyadris, with broad-leaved trees such as Tectona grandis (Teak) common amongst such forests. Yeoor Hills, a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, contains several dry deciduous as well as semi-deciduous trees.
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MOIST DECIDUOUS LOHAGAD AUGUST
Characterized by humid, dense forests, the moist deciduous forests of Sahyadri are in patches, and remain, for the most part, most diverse in terms of the invertebrate fauna. These forests are partly deciduous and partly evergreen.
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PERENNIAL STREAM YEOOR MAY
Perennial streams are those which persist under the stream-bed in drier months. Such large streams commonly harbour evergreen trees along its borders.
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SHRUBLAND TUNG JULY
Shrublands are predominantly seen on hill-slopes. The shrubs are dense thickets, green through monsoon, and dry out during drier months. The little shrubs here are that of Pleocaulus ritchiei, commonly called Topli Karvy, as well as a few Wild Banana (Ensete superbum) plants.
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MEADOW LOHAGAD AUGUST
Meadows are open grasslands amidst forests. They are different from plateau grasslands in the sense, they are found over a broader range of elevation – from near sea level to as high as the tallest plateaus. Some of the forest meadows are formed due to feeling of the trees – such types of meadows are usually found near cities and villages bordering forests, they are generally weaker in terms of biodiversity.
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FOREST STREAM NANEGHAT AUGUST
Forest stream ecosystems are common throughout the Sahyadris. They serve as a feeding and breeding ground to a variety of organisms – many of the fishes that breed in such streams are endemic to the Western Ghats. Perennial herbs and shrubs surround these temporary forest oases.
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PERENNIAL LAKE KORIGAD OCTOBER
Such lakes and ponds are primarily fed by monsoons. They persist through the wet season, and dry out during drier months. Organisms that depend on such an ecosystem lead an interestingly short lifespan – which may last for a mere four months.
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sdsd Plateau grassland manikgad OCTOBER
Plateau grasslands of the Sahyadri are especially known to harbour endemic species. The grasses dominate this region, which are usually short. Trees, if any, are stunted by strong winds.
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sdsdEXOTIC PLANTATIONS MATHERAN AUGUST
Exotic plantations are scattered in urban as well as natural habitats. Acacia auriculiformis (Australian Acacia) is the commonest exotic tree used in mass afforestation drives. They hold lowest diversity, and are akin to forests that appear lush green, but are mere biological deserts.
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Concerning METHODOLOGY
The study or „expedition‟ lasted from the month of May to October. Spanning over these six months, I was able to record life as it blossomed
and shriveled with the gradual change in weather.
The method of study was random sampling and crude transect walks. We mostly stuck to the path, and explored the surrounding area. The
sightings were recorded photographically, but it was not possible in certain circumstances. Such animals, most of which are common, have
been omitted from this report.
No organisms were sampled – any of those caught humanely were released at the site within a few minutes. They were mostly caught to aid in
their identifications. Most of the identifications were undertaken on the field, and with the help of photographs. The most courteous experts
were more than happy to provide identifications roughly, or accurately, based on the photographs.
I made use of several reference materials, an inventory of which is given in the Index. However, some identifications were conducted based on
resources (not particularly that of the experts) over the internet, therefore I cannot assure the identifications as concrete. And I appreciate
corrections, if any, for the same.
My tool of trade was a Sony DSC H7 point-and-shoot camera, along with a homemade flash diffuser, and a 1.7X Teleconverter lens.
39
Concerning FLORA
Over seventeen thousand species of flowering plants are thought to
exist in India. The Western Ghats contain about 4500 plant species,
of which 1600 are found only in the Ghats. Sahyadri (the region
north of Karnataka), also boasts some endemics that are found
nowhere else in the Ghats. Most of these endemics are restricted to
the plateau region, and blossom only during monsoon season. 56
species were photographed over the period of six months,
belonging to 33 families.
Family Total species observed
1 Acanthaceae 5
2 Apiaceae 1
3 Asclepiadaceae 4
4 Asteraceae 1
5 Balsaminaceae 3
6 Begoniaceae 2
7 Boraginaceae 1
8 Colchicaceae 1
9 Commelinaceae 1
10 Convolvulaceae 1
11 Dilleniaceae 1
12 Dioscoreaceae 1
13 Eriocaulaceae 1
14 Fabaceae 3
15 Gentianaceae 1
16 Lamiaceae 1
17 Lecythidaceae 1
18 Liliaceae 2
19 Lentibulariaceae 1
20 Malvaceae 1
21 Martyniaceae 1
22 Melastomataceae 1
23 Musaceae 1
24 Orchidaceae 9
25 Orobanchaceae 1
26 Pedaliacae 1
27 Poaceae 1
28 Rubiaceae 2
29 Scrophulariaceae 1
30 Sterculiaceae 1
31 Varbenaceae 1
32 Vitaceae 1
33 Zingiberaceae 2
Total 33 Families 56 Species
40
5 Acanthaceae
1
4
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3 1 1 1
2 1
1 1
1
1
9 Orchidaceae
1
1
1
2
1 1
1 1
2
Acanthaceae
Apiaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Asteraceae
Balsaminaceae
Begoniaceae
Boraginaceae
Colchicaceae
Commelinaceae
Convolvulaceae
Dilleniaceae
Dioscoreaceae
Eriocaulaceae
Fabaceae
Gentianaceae
Lamiaceae
Lecythidaceae
Liliaceae
Lentibulariaceae
Malvaceae
Martyniaceae
Melastomataceae
Musaceae
Orchidaceae
Orobanchaceae
Pedaliacae
Poaceae
Rubiaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Sterculiaceae
Varbenaceae
Vitaceae
Zingiberaceae
Family-wise diversity of FLORA
41
The Diversity of Plants
33 Families · 56 SPECIES
42
Acanthus ilicifolius Family: Acanthaceae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Asystasia dalzelliana Family: Acanthaceae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Strobilanthes callosus Family: Acanthaceae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
Barleria prattensis Family: Acanthaceae Location: Karnala Month: October
Belpharis asperrima Family: Acanthaceae Location: Karnala Month: June
Pinda concanensis Family: Apiaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
43
Ceropegia lawii EN Family: Asclepiadaceae WIN Location: Tung Month: July
Ceropegia rollae R Family: Asclepiadaceae SIN Location: Lohagad Month: August
Ceropegia attenuata R Family: Asclepiadaceae SIN Location: Matheran Month: August
Impatiens pulcherrima Family: Balsaminaceae Location: Tung Month: July
Senecio grahamii Family: Asteraceae Location: Manikgad Month: September
Ceropegia vincaefolia TN Family: Asclepiadaceae Location: Mahuli Month: September
44
Impatiens oppositifolia Family: Balsaminaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Impatiens balsamina Family: Balsaminaceae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Begonia crenata Family: Begoniaceae Location: Tung Month: July
Begonia concanensis Family: Begoniaceae Location: Tung Month: July
Adelocaryum malabaricum Family: Boraginaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Gloriosa superba Family: Colchicaceae Location: Naneghat Month: August
45
Cyanotis tuberosa Family: Commelinaceae Location: Tung Month: July
Dinetus racemosus Family: Convolvulaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Dillenia pentagyna Family: Dilleniaceae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Dioscorea sp. Family: Dioscoreaceae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Eriocaulon sp. Family: Eriocaulaceae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Smithia setulosa Family: Fabaceae Location: Mahuli Month: September
46
Smithia purpurea Family: Fabaceae SIN Location: Korigad Month: October
Vigna vexillata Family: Fabaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Exacum pumilum Family: Gentianaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Pogostemon deccanensis Family: Lamiaceae WIN Location: Korigad Month: October
Careya arborea Family: Lecythidaceae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Iphigenia pallida Family: Lilaceae Location: Tung Month: July
47
Chlorophytum glaucum Family: Liliaceae WIN Location: Tung Month: July
Urena lobata Family: Malvaceae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Utricularia striatula Family: Lentibulariaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Martynia annua Family: Martyniaceae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Sonerila scapigera Family: Melastomataceae Location: Tung Month: July
Ensete superbum Family: Musaceae Location: Tung Month: July
48
Acampe sp. Family: Orchidaceae Location: Tung Month: May
Cottonia peduncularis Family: Orchidaceae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Vanda testacea Family: Orchidaceae Location: Lohagad Month: May
Oberonia recurva Family: Orchidaceae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Habenaria grandifloriformis Family: Orchidaceae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Habenaria rariflora Family: Orchidaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
49
Habenaria foliosa Family: Orchidaceae SIN Location: Lohagad Month: August
Porpax sp. Family: Orchidaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Pecteilis gigantea Family: Orchidaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Aeginetia indica Family: Orobanchaceae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Coix sp. Family: Poaceae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Sesamum orientale Family: Pedaliacae Location: Manikgad Month: August
50
Neanotis lancifolia Family: Rubiaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Sopubia delphinifolia Family: Scrophulariaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
Pavetta indica Family: Rubiaceae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Helicteres isora Family: Sterculiaceae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Cayratia trifolia Family: Vitaceae Location: Nagla Block Month: July
Clerodendrum serratum Family: Varbenaceae Location: Lohagad Month: August
51
sdsd Cucurma pseudomontana Family: Zingiberaceae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Kaempferia scaposa Family: Zingiberaceae Location: Korigad Month: October
52
Concerning FUNGI
The Western Ghats is also home to some fascinating fungi, which mainly remain unobserved because of their inconspicuous nature. Although
many have been thoroughly studied, and are used in our day-to-day lives, such as Yeast, the wild varieties of fungi which are important
decomposers in the forests are one largely ignored group of organisms when it comes to general awareness. The Fungi of Maharashtra have
been documented scientifically, but there is a large lacuna concerning information concerning this Kingdom.
We were able to sight most of the fungi due to their spore-bearing bodies – the Mushrooms, yet it is rather difficult to identify them solely from
photographs. For simplicity, and as far as my understanding of fungi goes, I‟ve divided them according to the order they resemble:
Aphyllophorales: Simply put, they contain fungi that do not bear “gills” on their fruiting bodies, such as mushrooms.
Agaricales: These fungi contain gilled mushrooms.
Randive et al recorded 256 species of aphyllophoraceous fungi in the state of Maharashtra, mostly along the Sahyadri ranges. While there are
studies concerning Agaricales of Maharashtra, it is not available in public domain.
Only 7 different types of Fungi – mainly mushrooms – were photographed during the period from June to September.
53
MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS
7 TYPES
54
Fungus and fungal spores in a raindrop Order: Aphyllophorales Location: Yeoor Month: July
Dacryopinax spathularia (?) Order: Aphyllophorales Location: Yeoor Month: July
Fungus Order: Aphyllophorales Location: Naneghat Month: August
Bracket Fungus Order: Aphyllophorales Location: Manikgad Month: August
Mushroom with gills Order: Agaricales Location: Yeoor Month: July
Bracket Fungus with gills Order: Agaricales Location: Mahuli Month: September
55
sdsdMacrolepiota Order: Agaricales Location: Matheran Month: September
Top: Showing gills Bottom: Showing size
56
Concerning Invertebrates
Invertebrates make up the majority of biomass, only next to the
plants. Most of the animals that lie at the base of the food pyramid
are invertebrate, and so are those that carry out the everyday
functions of pollination, decomposition and propagation. And if
they cease to exist, life would be nonexistent on this planet. Yet,
they remain the least appreciated group of animals today.
While it is difficult – if not impossible – to study these
underestimated organisms, extensive research has been conducted
to understand most of the terrestrial invertebrates such as mollusks,
crustaceans, insects and arachnids, and many others.
In this section, a few invertebrates, namely crabs, snails and
millipedes have been mentioned merely to attract general attention.
These animals are so common; it‟s an irony that their lives are
entirely alien to us. We don‟t know for sure when and where the
land crabs go into hibernation; nor do we know the breeding life of
land snails. Recently, I found a group of tiny snails hibernating
inside an empty moth pupa. Such little findings keep our curiosity
intact, and we discover things we never know of.
The freshwater crabs – also referred as land crabs or field crabs,
remain rather elusive to an untrained eye. There are about eight
families of freshwater crabs found in the tropics, and are known to
exhibit parental care – where a female will carry her offspring in a
“brooding pouch” – the abdomen. There are two families occurring
in Asia, Gecarcinucidae and Parathelphusidae, with the latter
recorded along the Western Ghats. Crabs in the genus Barytelphusa
(cunicularis being one of the species) are known to be present in the
Sahyadri.
The diversity of freshwater mollusks is also an equally
understudied group of invertebrates. Malacology is a rarely heard
term that deals with the study of mollusks. Madhyastha et al
mentioned several genus endemic to the Western Ghats. About 24
families out of 26 in India are found in the Western Ghats, with as
many as 258 species recorded in this biodiverse hotspot.
Millipedes belong to Class Diplopoda. About 500 species are
recorded from India. All of us, young and old, have seen them
crawl along the ground on their tiny line of legs. They are rather
common, yet unknown. The most common Millipede of the
Sahyadri belongs to the family Polydesmidae. Some species
commonly congregate on bare rocks under thickets and grasses
during monsoon months, probably to mate, or to feed, or to migrate
– but we don‟t know for sure.
Although much work has been done in documenting these
arthropods of India, there is a large lacuna when it comes to field
studies, because these resources remain hidden with inconspicuous
names, or get buried in the stacks of many research publications
and never see light of the day.
57
THE UNSUNG INVERTEBRATES
58
dsd
Land Crab carrying offspring in abdomen Name: Barytelphusa (?) Family: Parathelphusidae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Land Snail Clade: Eupulmonata Family: Ariophantidae (?) Location: Yeoor Month: July
A congregation of Millipedes Class: Diplopoda Family: (?) Location: Matheran Month: September
59
Concerning INSECTA
Class Insecta is by far the most diverse in the world, and also in the Western Ghats. There have been many estimates of the species present in
India, ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 – although there is no established number assigned yet – and it will be decades from now to ascertain it.
The northern Western Ghats, with a variety of habitats in her lap, harbours some astonishing insects that can be as beautiful as they can be
dreadful to some. From the tiniest Thrips to the large overpowering Mantids, the Sahyadri is well equipped with a million year old evolution
in its caretakers, who look after the primary function of decomposition, pollination, propagation, and predation as well as by forming a
baseline of the food web.
Through my journey into the few corners of Sahyadri, I always had my eyes scanning the undergrowth for insects and their distant relatives.
Some of them, fortunately, blessed me with their sightings, yet many of them still remain an enigma – perhaps even to science. This section
discusses the major findings – identified as well as unidentified – that were documented over the span of six months.
Overall, 235 specimens of insects were recorded belonging 102 Families in 13 Orders.
Order Families Identified Specimens Unidentified Specimens Total Observed Specimens
Coleoptera 15 15 16 31
Lepidoptera 17 50 04 54
Hemiptera 15 09 12 21 Odonata 08 28 0 28 Diptera 23 13 28 41
Hymenoptera 10 19 13 32 Orthoptera 04 03 09 12 Neuroptera 02 - 03 03 Mecoptera 01 - 01 01 Plecoptera 01 - 01 01 Blattodea 02 01 03 04
Mantodea 03 02 04 06 Phasmatodea 01 - 01 01
Total 102 140 95 235
60
15 Coleoptera
17
15
8
23
10
4
2
1 1
2 3 1 Coleoptera
Lepidoptera
Hemiptera
Odonata
Diptera
Hymenoptera
Orthoptera
Neuroptera
Mecoptera
Plecoptera
Blattodea
Mantodea
Phasmatodea
31
54 Lepidoptera
21
28
41
32
12
3 1 1 4
6
1
This list is not comprehensive because many insects are specifically seen only during winter and summer months. It only mentions the ones
that were observed in Monsoon, and happened to occur on the path, and which I was able to photograph. A complete checklist is given in the
Index.
Family-wise diversity of insect orders Total observed Specimen-wise diversity of
insect orders
61
COLEOPTERA
BANNER OF THE BEETLES
15 Families · 31 types
62
Leaf-rolling Weevil Super-family: Curculionidea Family: Attelabidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Sternocera sp. Family: Buprestidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Longhorn Beetle Family: Buprestidae Location: Nagla Block Month: July
Flea Beetle Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Chrysochus sp. Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Tung Month: July
Leaf Beetle – pair Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Korigad Month: October
63
Leaf Beetle Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Sagra femorata Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Tung Month: July
Clytria sp. Family: Chrysomelidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Cicindela viridicincta Family: Cicindelidae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Cicindela fabriciana (shoulder spot present) Family: Cicindelidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Cicindela fabriciana (shoulder spot absent) Family: Cicindelidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
64
Cicindela azureocincta
Family: Cicindelidae WIN Location: Yeoor Month: June
Unidentified Family: Cicindelidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Cicindela colicia Family: Cicindelidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
65
Unidentified Weevil Super-family: Curculionidea Location: Yeoor Month: June
Unidentified Family: Dytiscidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Menochilus sexmaculatus Family: Coccinellidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Click Beetle Family: Elateridae Location: Tung Month: July
Firefly Larva Family: Lampyridae Location: Matheran Month: August
Unidentified Family: Languriidae Location: Korigad Month: October
66
Epicauta waterhousei Family: Meloidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Mylabris pustulata Family: Meloidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Net-winged Beetle Family: Lycidae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
Blister Beetle Unidentified Family: Meloidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Epicauta sp. Family: Meloidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Macrosaigon sp. Family: Ripiphoridae Location: Manikgad Month: August
67
Dung Beetles Family: Scarabaeidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Clinteria sp. Family: Scarabaeidae Subfamily: Cetoniinae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Onthophagus sp. (?) – Dung Beetle Family: Scarabaeidae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Popilla sp. Family: Scarabaeidae Subfamily: Rutelinae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
Popilla sp. (?) Family: Scarabaeidae Subfamily: Rutelinae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
68
LEPIDOPTERA
THE RUFFLE OF MOTHS & FLUTTER OF BUTTERFLIES
17 Families · 54 types
69
Parotis sp. Family: Crambidae Subfamily: Spilomelinae Location: (near) Yeoor Month: September
Pseudocatharylla sp. Family: Crambidae Subfamily: Crambinae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Hyblaea purea Family: Hyblaeidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Dysgonia stuposa Family: Noctuidae Subfamily: Catocalinae Location: (near) Yeoor Month: July
Anoba pectina Family: Noctuidae Subfamily: Catocalinae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Cerura priapus Family: Notodontidae Subfamily: Stauropinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
70
Synanthedon sp. Family: Sesiidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Phauda sp. Family: Phaudidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Synanthedon sp. (?) Family: Sesiidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
71
Wooly Bear Caterpillar Family: Eupterotidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Unidentified Hawkmoth Family: Sphingidae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Stinging Nettle Caterpillar Family: Limacodidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Stick-case Moth Caterpillar Family: Psychidae (?) Location: Manikgad Month: September
Cerura priapus Caterpillar Family: Notodontidae Subfamily: Stauropinae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Trypanophora sp. Caterpillar Family: Zygaenidae Subfamily: Chalcosiinae Location: Naneghat Month: August
72
Sarangesa dasahara | Common Small Flat Family: Hesperiidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Sarangesa purendra | Spotted Small Flat Family: Hesperiidae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Celaenorrhinus ambareesa | Malabar Spotted Flat Family: Hesperiidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Tagiades litigiosa | Water Snow Flat Family: Hesperiidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Caprona ransonnetti | Golden Angle Family: Hesperiidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Pelopidas conjuncta | Conjoined Swift Family: Hesperiidae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
73
Iambrix salsala | Chestnut Bob Family: Hesperiidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Taractrocera ceramas |Tamil Grass Dart Family: Hesperiidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Caleta caleta| Angled Pierrot Family: Lycaenidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Zizeeria karsandra| Dark Grass Blue Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor | Month: October
Chilades laius| Lime Blue Family: Lycaenidae Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
Castalius rosimon| Common Pierrot Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
74
Jamides celeno | Common Cerulean (laying eggs) Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Jamides bochus | Dark Cerulean Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Chilades pandava |Plains Cupid Family: Lycaenidae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Loxura atymnus | Yamfly Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Neptis hylas | Common Sailor Family: Nymphalidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Kallima horsfieldii | Southern Blue Oakleaf Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
75
Elymnias hypermnestra |Common Palmfly Family: Nymphalidae Location: Jijamata Udyan Month: July
Mycalesis sp. | Bushbrown Family: Nymphalidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Ypthima huebneri | Common Four-ring Family: Nymphalidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Euthalia nias |Baronet Family: Nymphalidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Hypolimnas misippus |Danaid Eggfly Family: Nymphalidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Phalanta phalantha | Common Leopard Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
76
Pareronia valeria |Common Wanderer Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Vanessa cardui |Painted Lady Family: Nymphalidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Junonia almana |Peacock Pansy Family: Nymphalidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Junonia orithya |Blue Pansy Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Junonia hierta |Yellow Pansy Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Junonia atlites |Gray Pansy Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
77
Euploea core |Common Indian Crow Family: Nymphalidae Location: Manikgad Month: September
Papilio clytia form clytia |Common Mime Family: Papilionidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Papilio polytes |Common Mormon Family: Papilionidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Atrophaneura aristolochiae |Common Rose Family: Papilionidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Graphium nomius |Spot Swordtail Family: Papilionidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Eurema hecabe |Common Grass Yellow Family: Pieridae Location: Koirgad Month: October
78
Abisara echerius|Plum Judy Family: Rionidinae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Euthalia aconthea|Common Baron (caterpillar) Family: Nymphalidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Surendra quercetorum|Common Acacia Blue (caterpillar) Family: Lycaenidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Charaxes bernardus|Tawny Rajah (caterpillar) Family: Nymphalidae Location: Yeoor| Month: July
79
HEMIPTERA
STEALTH OF THE BUGS
15 Families · 21 types
80
Callitettix versicolour | Spittle Bug Family: Cercopidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Unidentified Spittle Bug Family: Cercopidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Spittle Bug Nymph in Spittle Mass Family: Cercopidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Giant Water Bug Family: Belostomatidae Location: Kolhapur Month: September
Nepholettix virescens Family: Cicadellidae Location: Manikgad Month: September
Unidentified Cicada Family: Cicadidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
81
Unidentified Cicada Family: Cicadidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Anoplocnemis phasiana Family: Coreidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Homoeocerus sp. Family: Coreidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Dalader sp. Family: Coreidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Unidentified Family: Fulgoridae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
82
Antestiopsis sp. Family: Pentatomidae Location: Tung Month: July
Leptocentrus sp. Family: Membracidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Waterscorpion Family: Nepidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Backswimmer Family: Notonectidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Erthesina acuminata Family: Pentatomidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Erthesina acuminate (Nymph) Family: Pentatomidae Location: Naneghat Month: August
83
Stink Bug Nymph Family: Pentatomidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Mealy Bugs Family: Pseudococcidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Assassin Bug Nymph Family: Reduviidae Location: Nagla Block Month: June
Unidentified Family: Ricaniidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Chrysocoris stolli (nymph) Family: Scuteleridae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Pycanum ponderosum Family: Tessaratomidae Location: Lohagad Month: August
84
8 FAMILIES · 28 types
ODONATA
FLIGHT OF DRAGONS & PLIGHT OF DAMSELS
85
Anax immaculifrons Female Ovipositing Family: Aeshnidae Location: Tung Month: July
Anax immaculifrons (Mating in Wheel Formation) Family: Aeshnidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Gynacantha dravida Family: Aeshnidae Location: Kolhapur Month: September
Gynacantha bayadera Family: Aeshnidae Location: Karnala Month: October
Epopthalmia vittata (Dead) Family: Macromiidae Location: Kolhapur Month: September
86
Trithemis aurora (Male) Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Trithemis aurora (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Crocothemis servilia (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Tramea limbata Family: Libellulidae Location: Manikgad Month: September
Orthetrum pruinosum Family: Libellulidae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
Crocothemis servilia (Male) Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
87
Rhodothemis rufa (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Pantala flavescens Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Potamarcha congener (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Tholymis tillarga (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Trithemis festiva (Male) Family: Libellulidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Diplacodes trivialis (Female) Family: Libellulidae Location: Matheran Month: September
88
Orthetrum glaucum (?) Family: Libellulidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Bradinopyga geminata Family: Libellulidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Trithemis pallidinervis Family: Libellulidae Location: Naneghat Month: August
Orthetrum luzonicum Family: Libellulidae Location: Korigad Month: October
89
Ceriagrion coromandelianum Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Agriocnemis pygmaea (Male) Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Agriocnemis pygmaea (Female Red Morph) Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Agriocnemis pygmaea (Mating in Wheel Formation) Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
90
Ichnura aurora Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Ichnura senegalensis (feeding on I. aurora) Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Ichnura senegalensis Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Pseudagrion rubriceps Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Pseudagrion decorum Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Kolhapur Month: September
Pseudagrion microcephalum Family: Coenagrionidae Location: Matheran Month: September
91
Vestalis gracilis Family: Calopterygidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Lestes sp. Family: Lestidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Disparoneura quadrimaculata (Male) Family: Platystictidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
Disparoneura quadrimaculata (Female) Family: Platystictidae Location: Yeoor Month: October
92
DIPTERA
AGILITY OF BRACHYCERA & TEASING OF NEMATOCERA 23 FAMILIES · 41 types
93
Robber fly (Male) Family: Asilidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Robber fly (Female) Family: Asilidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Robber fly (Teneral) Family: Asilidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Robber fly (Male) Family: Asilidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Robber fly (feeding on another fly) Family: Asilidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Robber fly Family: Asilidae Location: Naneghat Month: August
94
Top: Robber fly (Ovipositing on grass frond) Right: Egg mass Family: Asilidae
Location: Karnala Month: October
95
Bee fly (Female) Family: Bombyliidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Bee fly (Mating pair) Family: Bombyliidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Greon argentifrons Family: Bombyliidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Bottle fly Family: Calliphoridae Location: Tung Month: July
Bengalia sp. Family: Calliphoridae Location: Tung Month: July
Unidentified Family: Calliphoridae Location: Matheran Month: September
96
Beetle-backed fly Family: Celyphidae Location: Manikgad Month: September
Teleopsis sp.| Stalk-eyed fly (Male) Family: Diopsidae Location: Tung Month: July
Long-legged fly Family: Dolichopodidae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Dance fly Family: Hybotidae Location: Tung Month: July
Unidentified Family: Lauxaniidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Unidentified Family: Muscidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
97
Stilt-legged fly Family: Micropezidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Stilt-legged fly Sub family: Taeniapterinae Family: Micropezidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Ant mugging fly (Crematogaster sp. in the background) Family: Milichiidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Snipe fly Family: Rhagionidae Location: Tung Month: July
Scavenger fly Family: Sepsidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Black scavenger fly Family: Sepdiade Location: Korigad Month: October
98
Ptecticus sp. Family: Stratiomyidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Hermetia sp. Family: Stratiomyidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Hover fly Family: Syrphidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Syrphid fly Family: Syrphidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Fruit fly Family: Tephritidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Haematopota sp. Family: Tabanidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
99
Top: Philoliche sp. (piercing cow for blood) Right: Philoliche sp. (resting)
Family: Tabanidae Location: Matheran Month: September
100
Dexia sp. Family: Tachinidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Prosena siberita Family: Tachinidae Location: Lohagad Month: August
Torocca munda Family: Tachinidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Tachinid Unidentified Family: Tachinidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Physiphora sp. Family: Ulidiidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Signal fly Family: Ulidiidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
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Midges in a spider‟s web Family: Cecidomyiidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Aedes sp. (Piercing human) Family: Culicidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Dark-winged fungus gnat Family: Sciaridae Location: Tung Month: July
Ctenophora sp. (Ovipositing on stream bed) Family: Tipulidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
102
HYMENOPTERA
SCOURGE OF THE WASPS
7 FAMILIES · 18 types
103
Bembix sp. Family: Crabronidae Location: Yeoor Month: May
Cerceris sp. Family: Crabronidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Tachytes sp. Family: Crabronidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Ichneumon wasp (Ovipositing on dead wood) Family: Ichneumonidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Ichneumon wasp Family: Ichneumonidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Ichneumon wasp Family: Ichneumonidae Location: Matheran Month: September
104
Callibracon sp. Family: Braconidae
Location: Yeoor Month: October
105
Braconid wasp (Dead) Family: Ichneumonidae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Velvet ant (Male) Tribe: Trogaspidiini Family: Mutillidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Velvet ant (Female/different species) Tribe: Trogaspidiini Family: Mutillidae Location: Karnala | Month: October
Spider Wasp Family: Pompilidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Spider Wasp (different species) Family: Pompilidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
106
Chalybion sp. Family: Sphecidae Location: Jijamata Udyan Month: July
Digger wasp Family: Sphecidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Sphex sp. (?) Family: Sphecidae Location: Kolhapur Month: September
Delta pyriforme Family: Vespidae Location: Bhimashankar Month: October
Polistes sp. Family: Vespidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Vespa sp. (?) Family: Vespidae Location: Korigad Month: October
107
HYMENOPTERA
RECKONING OF ANTS
1 FAMILY · 3 sub FAMILIES · 10 types
108
Anoplolepis gracilipes Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Camponotus sp. Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Camponotus irritans Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Camponotus compressus (Carrying injured worker ant) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Matheran| Month: September
Polyrhachis sp. (Same as cover page for ants) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Pheidole sp. Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Myrmicinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
109
Crematogaster sp. (Carrying a beetle to the nest) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Crematogaster sp. (Scavenging on the forest floor) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Crematogaster sp. (Scavenging on forest floor) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Formicinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
110
Diacamma rugosum Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Ponerinae Location: Jijamata Udyan Month: July
Leptogenis processionalis (Nest entrance) Family: Formicidae | Sub family: Ponerinae Location: Korigad Month: October
Tetraponera rufonigra (Queen ant) Family: Formicidae Location: Korigad Month: October
Tetraponera rufonigra (Worker ant carrying an infected caterpillar) Family: Formicidae Location: Karnala Month: October
111
Oecophylla smaragdina (Queen ant) Family: Formicidae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Oecophylla smaragdina (Queen ant that has shed her wings after mating) Family: Formicidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Oecophylla smaragdina (Worker ants on a fallen log) Family: Formicidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
Oecophylla smaragdina (Worker ants tending to Mealy Bugs on a tree) Family: Formicidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Oecophylla smaragdina (Satellite nest) Family: Formicidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
112
HYMENOPTERA
MAZE OF BEES
2 FAMILIES · 4 types
113
Apis dorsata (Honeycomb) Family: Apidae Location: Tung Month: July
Xylocopa sp. (Male) Family: Apidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Thyreus sp. (?) amily: Apidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Pseudapis sp. (Male) Family: Halictidae Location: Matheran Month: September
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ORTHOPTERA
The stride of grasshoppers & timidity of katydids
4 FAMILIES · 12 types
115
Acrida sp. (Nymph) Family: Acrididae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Acrida sp. (Adult) Family: Acrididae Location: Mahuli Month: September
Unidentified Family: Acrididae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Poekilocerus pictus Family: Pyrgomorphidae Location: Matheran Month: September
Unidentified Family: Acrididae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Unidentified Family: Acrididae Location: Tung Month: July
116
Unidentified Family: Acrididae
Sub family: Oxyinae Location: Korigad
Month: October
117
Katydid Unidentified Family: Tettigoniidae Location: Yeoor Month: July
Katydid Unidentified Family: Tettigoniidae | Sub family: Conocephalinae Location: Yeoor Month: June
Katydid Unidentified (Basking) Family: Tettigoniidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Unidentified Family: Gryllidae (?) Location: Manikgad Month: August
Unidentified (Nymph) Family: Gryllidae (?) Location: Yeoor Month: July
Unidentified Family: Gryllidae (?) Location: Manikgad Month: August
Katydid Unidentified Family: Tettigoniidae Location: Manikgad Month: August
Unidentified Family: Gryllidae (?) Location: Yeoor Month: July
118
Sathrophyllia sp. Family: Tettigoniidae
Sub family: Pseudophyllinae Location: Yeoor
Month: July
119
OTHER INSECT ORDERS
NEUROPTERA, MECOPTERA, PLECOPTERA, BLATTODEA, MANTODEA & PHASMATODEA
6 ORDERS · 15 types
120
Lacewing eggs Order: Neuroptera Family: Chrysopidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Lacewing (adult) Order: Neuroptera Family: Chrysopidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Owlfly Order: Neuroptera Family: Ascalaphidae Location: Yeoor | Month: May
Owlfly Order: Neuroptera Family: Ascalaphidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
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Scorpionfly Order: Mecoptera Family: Panorpidae Location: Tung | Month: July
Stonefly Order: Plecoptera Location: Tung | Month: July
Eucorydia sp. Order: Blattodea Family: Polyphagidae Location: Manikgad | Month: August
Cockroach (nymph) Order: Blattodea Location: Manikgad | Month: August
Cockroach (nymph) Order: Blattodea Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Cockroach (adult) Order: Blattodea Family: Blattellidae Location: Nagla Block | Month: June
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Creobroter sp. (?) (nymph) Order: Mantodea Family: Hymenopodidae Location: Nagla Block | Month: June
Mantis (that recently moulted) Order: Mantodea Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Hierodula sp. (female) Order: Mantodea Family: Mantidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
Mantis (nymph) Order: Mantodea Location: Yeoor Month: July
Gongylus gongylodes Order: Mantodea Family: Empusidae Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
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Mantis (nymph) Order: Mantodea Location: Tungareshwar Month: September
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Stick Insect (nymph) Order: Phasmatodea Location: Matheran | Month: September
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Concerning ARACHNIDA
Class Arachnida is unique, in the sense their relatives were purely aquatic. The extant diversity of Arachnida is majorly terrestrial, except some
aquatic mites and wetland-associated spiders.
Pocock (1900) distinguished Arachnids from Insects, Centipedes and Millipedes by “the entire absence of the pair of feeler-like appendages,
known as antennae, which are affixed to the front of the head of these three classes of animals”, and various other physiological characteristics
such as four pair of legs, presence of respiratory organs called book lung, and multiple pair of simple-eyes (Ocelii) arranged in unique patterns.
The Arachnida of India (according to Pocock 1900) is represented by the following Orders: Acarina (mites and ticks), Amblypygi (tail-less whip
scorpions; 2 families), Araneae (spiders; 59 families), Opiliones (harvestmen), Pseudoscorpionida (pseudoscorpions; data lacking), Scorpiones
(scorpions; 5 families), Solifugae (sun scorpions; 2 families), and Thelyphonida (whip scorpions; 2 families).
The most common Arachnids found along Western Ghats are the Araneae, Acarina, Amblypygi, Opiliones, and Scorpions, while
Pseudoscorpions, Solifugae, and Thelyphonida are not-so-commonly-observed due to their conspicuous behaviours.
During my excursions, I kept an eye out for these wonderful eight-legged creatures that are an important part of Sahyadri‟s ecology. While
most play a predatory role, some of them are parasitic. They are rather helpful in maintaining the populations of insects that we term as pests. I
came across 34 specimens belonging to Araneae, 2 Scorpiones, and several Acarina.
Order Families Identified Specimens Unidentified Specimens Total Observed Specimens
Araneae 14 30 08 38
Scorpiones 02 02 - 02
Acarina - - 04 04 Total 16 32 12 44
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The diversity of Arachnids is not reflected in this report, for instance, no Opiliones were considered because they are common throughout the
areas covered. On the other hand, no Amblypygi were covered because none were observed. Therefore, the graph below does not particularly
reflect the species abundance in the Sahyadris, although it gives an idea of their diversity.
38 Araneae
2
4
Araneae
Scorpiones
Acarina
Total observed Specimens OF CLASS ARACHNIDA
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CLASS arachnida
ARANEAE, ACARINA & SCORPIONES
3 ORDERS · 16 FAMILIES · 44 types
128
Argiope sp. Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Argiope sp. Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Naneghat | Month: August
Cyrtophora sp. Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Jijamata Udyan | Month: July
Neoscona sp. (mukerji?) Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Naneghat | Month: August
Neoscona sp. (oditis?) Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Yeoor | Month: October
Poltys sp. Order: Araenae Family: Araenidae Location: Manikgad | Month: August
129
Deinopis sp. Top: Showing eye-pattern and pedipalps
Bottom right: Showing resting position Order: Araenae
Family: Deinopidae Location: Manikgad | Month: August
130
Hersilia sp. (pair) Order: Araenae
Family: Hersilidae Location: Naneghat | Month: August
Hersilia sp. (Male) Order: Araenae Family: Hersilidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Hersilia sp. (Female) Order: Araenae Family: Hersilidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
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Hippasa sp. Order: Araenae Family: Lycosidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Nephila polipes (female – large & a male) Order: Araenae Family: Nephilidae Location: Karnala | Month: October
Unidentified Order: Araenae Family: Philodromidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Lynx spider Order: Araenae Family: Oxyopidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Lynx spider Order: Araenae Family: Oxyopidae Location: Yeoor | Month: October
Peucetia viridana Order: Araenae Family: Oxyopidae Location: Matheran | Month: September
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Asemonea tenuipes Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Carrhotus viduus (male) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Carrhotus viduus (female) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Brettus sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Carrhotus viduus (?) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: October
Epocilla calcarata Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Tung | Month: July
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Hasarius adansoni (male) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Kolhapur | Month: September
Hasarius adansoni (?) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Hasarius adansoni (female) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Menemerus sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: May
Myrmarachne sp. (mimic of T. rufonigra ant) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
Myrmarachne sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
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Phintella vittata Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Plexippus paykulli Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Phlegra sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Rhene flavigera Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Tung | Month: July
Rhene sp. (note different abdominal pattern) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: October
Rhene sp. (female) Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
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Telamonia sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Unidentified Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Unidentified Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Unidentified Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Yeoor | Month: July
Thyene sp. Order: Araenae Family: Salticidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
Scytodes sp. Order: Araenae Family: Scytodidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
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Crossopriza sp. Order: Araenae Family: Pholcidae Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
Plesiophrictus millardi Order: Araenae Family: Theraphocidae Location: Matheran | Month: August
Plesiophrictus millardi (cephalothorax upclose) Order: Araenae Family: Theraphocidae Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
Theridion sp. (?) Order: Araenae Family: Theridiidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
Thomisus sp. Order: Araenae Family: Thomisidae Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Unidentified Order: Araenae Family: Zodariidae Location: Mahuli | Month: September
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Mite Order: Acarina Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
Mite on Owlfly abdomen Order: Acarina Location: Yeoor | Month: June
Mites on Grasshopper Order: Acarina Location: Tungareshwar | Month: September
Mite on Grasshopper Order: Acarina Location: Korigad | Month: October
Tick Order: Acarina Location: Naneghat | Month: August
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Heterometrus sp. (female) Order: Scorpiones Family: Scorpionidae Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
Neoscorpiops sp. Order: Scorpiones
Family: Euscorpiidae Location: Bhimashankar | Month: October
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Concerning FISHES
A lot of work has been done, for science, on documenting the diversity and status of the fishes of India – marine as well as freshwater.
According to Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment in Western Ghats, an IUCN project, about 16% are Threatened with extinction, 1.9% are Near
Threatened, and about one-tenth of species are Data Deficient. Photo-documentation, therefore, is important to create awareness amongst the
masses.
I tried to document the freshwater fishes of the Northern Western Ghats, but found myself lacking in the instruments with which to
photograph them. The habitats explored were mainly hill streams, monsoon puddles, and fort tanks.
Three species documented were: Rasbora daniconius and Devario malabaricus at Yeoor, and a loach which is endemic to the Western Ghats, which
was first documented in Krishna River, Indoreonectes evezardi, photographed at Bhimashankar in Bhima River – a tributary of Krishna River.
Indoreonectes evezardi Order:Cypriniformes Family: Balitoridae Location: Bhimashankar, Bhima River Month: October
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Concerning KEY OBSERVATIONS
The riches of Sahyadris are known to all who tread her terraces. Whether it is in the heat of the summer or the heaviest monsoon showers, she
guards her treasures well, revealing only a few at one time. It is only obvious that naturalists like you and me fall in love with her.
My journey over the 6 months was long, but not enough. I have merely touched upon only the tip of an iceberg. Her treasures are yet hidden,
and it will perhaps take me many lives to explore each and every one if I do it alone. But I do find myself fortunate, for amongst this diversity,
she revealed some that are endemic, and some that are greatly threatened of their existence. The key observations of those 6 months are
discussed here.
1. Ceropegia sps. (pg. 43)
Ceropegia is a genus of about 200 species across the world, with about 14 endemic to Maharashtra –most of them found along the Sahyadri,
and all of them considered Threatened. This genus has long being considered an indicator of the health of an ecosystem because of their
lower tolerance to pollution (however I did not find any recorded evidence supporting it, but my personal observations support this
theory). Observing them can thus be used for rapid assessment of ecosystems.
One of the most interesting symbiotic relationship (for me, at least) in Ceropegias is with flies (Diptera). Considering the unique design of
the flowers, flies, beetles and other smaller insects are probably the best to pollinate the flowers. A very interesting research article was
published by Ollerton & Forster (1995), citing the lack of studies regarding pollination in Ceropegia. They recorded 4 families belonging to
Diptera that aid in pollination of a Ceropegia species in Australia. Another research by Ollerton, Masinde, Meve, Picker & Whittington
(2009) shows flies belonging to 20 families visiting Ceropegia, of which 11 families act as pollinators; while they observed 3 families
associated with Ceropegias in Asia.
On my expeditions, I recorded members in the family Muscidae and Calliphoridae which entered the flower, and flew about it.
Given that the members of this genus are threatened in Maharashtra, it is important not only to map their colonies and distribution (for
which most of the studies are completed, but not quite), but also to assess the pollinators which are closely associated with the plants. This
will help in protection of this genus in situ, since breeding of flies is not a humongous task, and the natural way of pollination is probably
the best for conservation of these threatened species.
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2. Macrosiagon sp. (pg. 66)
Macrosiagon is a genus belonging to Ripiphoridae family of beetles. Members of this family are parasitoids on bees, wasps and roaches.
Several genera have been recorded in India but only one species, Macrosaigon bipunctata. It is a parasitoid of Chalibion wasp (pg. 106) a
common Vespid of the Sahyadri, according to a research article by Batelka & Hoehn (2007).
What is interesting to note is the role of Chalibion sp. (wasp), which is a hunter of Cyrtophora sp. (spider), and which in turn is parasitized by
Macrosaigon bipunctata. Here every species is responsible to maintain the population of the other.
3. Philoliche sp. (pg.99)
Philoliche is a genus belonging to Tabanidae family of flies. They are specialized ectoparasites, feeding on the blood of mammals.
There are misconceptions about this member on two fronts. One, they resemble Syrphid flies. This is because of their superficial
resemblance to Syrphid flies (in body structure and colour pattern), and since males feed only on nectar, it is likely to be considered a
Syrphid. Two, their long “sword” like mouthpart is said to be used for feeding, however I did not observe its use in piercing a cow; but
males do use it to gather nectar from flowers. The females use their saw-like mandibles which are present close to their head, as it is
apparent from the picture on page 99. In case of humans, I have seen them trying to “feel” the leg with their long labrum, but I have not
seen them piercing the skin with it.
4. Hybotidae (pg. 96)
Hybotidae is a family of predatory flies with a worldwide distribution. In my observations of Diptera diversity over 5 years, I have seen
them in the Ghats region only. They are more abundant on forts 500 feet or more above the sea level.
5. Rhagionidae (pg. 97)
Similar to Hybotidae, this family of flies is only seen along the Ghats regions, but unlike Hybotidae, they are also found along the foothills
of the high-rise forts.
142
6. Gongylus gongylodes (pg. 122)
This species of Mantis is popularly known as Indian Violin Mantis. They are kept as pets, but observing one in the wild is rather difficult
due to their conspicuous nature. The one I observed was only a nymph. The distribution of this species is rather obscure, but I reckon they
are very well distributed throughout forested patches of the Western Ghats as a whole, perhaps further up north and east as well.
7. Deinopis sp. (pg. 129)
Deinopis is the only spider genus in family Deonipidae recorded in India, and only one species is recorded in the Western Ghats. They are
commonly called net-casting spiders, because of their unique way of building a web “trap” which they hold in their front appendages, and
cast onto the unsuspecting prey.
The distribution of this species is not marked as well, but it has been recorded previously in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They are fond of
dense forests – semi-deciduous and evergreen. During my two encounters with this species (one in SGNP in the year 2009; and one at
Manikgad in August 2011), I have always found them close to a stream.
8. Indoreonectes evezardi (pg. 139)
Indoreonectes evezardi is a type of a Loach, which was first recorded in Krishna River. It is an endemic, found throughout Western Ghats and
Satpura ranges.
9. White-rumped Vulture
I have specifically restricted this report, and excluded reptiles, birds and mammals because they are already well recorded in Sahyadri. I
would however like to add a note on the White-rumped Vulture, two of them, which were seen flying over the Manikgad fort. Records of
these vultures are well known at Karnala Fort and Mahuli Fort, and Matheran, however, Manikgad, due to the lack of accessibility, has
remained one of the few least explored forts of the Sahyadris.
10. Hill-topping behaviour
One of the most interesting behaviours in the insect world is that of “hill-topping”, where males of certain insect Orders perch on the
highest point in the locality, and the females seek the one with the best perch as a mate. The males compete for the highest perch, with
143
intra-species territorial fights more prevalent than inter-species. I observed it for the first time on Tung Fort in July at the height of over
1000 feet, where, at the top of the fort, various flies in the family Calliphoridae (three specimens), Sarcophagidae, and Rhagionidae, and
males of Danaid eggfly butterfly in family Nymphalidae, were congregating. Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae and Elateridae were also
present, but I‟m not sure if it was because of the abundance of grasses, or for the hill-topping behaviour.
It is worth noting here that forts, which now are largely uninhabited, play an important part in the lives of many creatures – small and large.
The sheer cliffs offer residence to Vultures, Kestrels, and other birds of prey. The biodiversity of these elevated natural high-rises are a home to
many endemics. Unfortunately, they still largely remain an unexplored terrain in terms the value of their ecosystem services to the
environment, and, as an extension, to us humans.
These ten observations are but a fraction. All animals and plants have a certain role to play. It is important to consider this role when we‟re
assessing the ecosystems, or the impacts upon the ecosystems.
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Concerning THREATS TO SAHYADRIS
The Northern Western Ghats are probably the only most populous biodiversity hotspot in the world. They are also one of the most urbanized,
with over 442 lakh people living in and around the Ghats according to 1991 census. Compared to Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, India‟s
population concentrated in the Western Ghats is almost twice – and its size, almost half. Overall, the Ghats have the highest human population
per unit area, more than 300 humans per sq. km, according to IUCN. It is no wonder that threat to the Ghats is grave, and pressing from all
sectors – agricultural, residential and industrial.
The Northern Western Ghats have been a home to endemics as well as migratory animals. They act as a prime corridor for large mammals, as
well as migratory pathways for birds and insects. The pressing issues concerning these Ghats are habitat fragmentation, agriculture, resource
exploitation, and the resulting pollution, soil erosion, and ecosystem degradation.
For many years before industrialization of India, the people of the Ghats have been living in harmony with nature – depending directly upon it
for food, water and shelter – but never exploiting. At the advent of industrialist movement, the exploitation of forests for timber, burning for
agriculture, and for housing, has left but many scars in the backbone of Peninsular India, leaving it broken and fragmented. These problems are
further accelerated by population growth and the ever-increasing demand on natural resources.
The Ghats are also affected by invasive species of plants and animals. This serious threat to the indigenous flora and fauna is probably the most
underestimated cause of concern in India. Although studies have been undertaken, and guidelines published concerning the management of
invasive species, the simple steps which can be undertaken by local NGOs, schools, as well as individuals, are not undertaken widely in India
as, for example, in Canada. Plants such as Eichhornia crassipes, a native species of the Amazon which was once introduced as an ornamental
plant has suffocated many wetlands in the Sahyadris. It is probably the most easily manageable invasive species, yet its eradication rarely ever
given importance. Fishes such as Tilapia that are cultured in India have outcompeted the native fishes in many natural ecosystems.
All the residents of the Ghats who visit their natural neighbourhood have observed an increase in the influx of tourists to this region. If
managed well, this is only a boon for the conservation of this hotspot, but the areas are often unkempt, because there is no management plan in
place. On all my visits, the most pertinent problem was of plastic pollution. The Ghats are choked with it. And the very next was soil erosion.
The widening of forest-paths into broad roads has led to massive amount of soil drainage. It is however not a surprise that the constructors
have no idea about the type of soil dominant in the Sahyadris. It is lose, and extremely vulnerable to erosion. Deforestation will lead to erosion.
145
In order to address the threats, it is important to evaluate the importance of the Ghats along with the consequences of its destruction, and
provide the information to every stakeholder of the region – from the tribal communities, cities, industries, and the government.
Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP) is one of the many programmes launched by Government of India. The objectives are: to
maintain the ecological balance essential for life support systems, preservation of genetic diversity, and so on. Many private organizations also
play a vital role in preservation of this threatened ecosystem. Thanks to their efforts, the Sahyadri has retained her natural beauty and heritage.
I only hope that she does not turn into a legendary story of a certain fantasyland, with children talking about her mighty fortresses, buried
deep inside the city rubble.
Plastic perched on a shrub Location: Tungareshwar (Protected Area) Month: September
Soil erosion due to road widening Location: Tungareshwar (Protected Area)
Month: September
146
Concerning THIS REPORT
It is fair to ask questions concerning the importance of mapping biodiversity, particularly that of conspicuous creatures like insects and spiders.
The numbers may not mean anything to those who cannot see through them. But if they begin to fall, you won‟t have to – for we all will feel
the change in our daily routines – in our involuntary activities of breathing, and our basic necessities of drinking water, and eating food.
The environment is changing. It has changed for millions of years. And therefore, it is resilient – life will fill in the emptiness created by the
extinction of one species. But it is not foolproof. If the environment is resilient, its components are not – and let me remind you, we are all a
component of the environment. The change, brought upon by GHGs predominantly released by our activities, or by the change in the natural
climatic shifts, will not be suitable for us. A slight shift in our world, say, disappearance of insects will put a full-stop to our existence. In the
words of late Jonas Salk (discoverer and developer of world‟s first safe Polio vaccine), “If insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50
years all life would end. If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years all life forms would flourish.”
It is only obvious from our increasing pressure on natural resources that we as a biotic component of Earth have a far more profound effect on
its environment than any other species. Yet, if only bees were to disappear, our agricultural enterprises will cease to feed us. The fields will die
down, and so will we. It is therefore crucial to understand the role of a community of small creatures like insects and spiders, in maintaining
the ecological balance on our planet. It is in that direction that I intend to take this report other than creating awareness, and hope I have
inspired nature-enthusiasts and budding naturalists for conserving the natural heritage of our mighty Sahyadris.
147
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Beuk, P. (2011). Retrieved from Diptera.info: http://www.diptera.info/news.php
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Lyubarsky, G. (1997). Cyrptophagidae and Languriidae from India (Coleoptera, Clavicornia). Entomofauna , 49-60.
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Nayar, & Sastry. (1987-88). Red Data Book Plants of India.
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Titles Pg. Concerning Places 12 Yeoor Hills 13 Nagla Block 14 Tungareshwar 15 Bhimashankar 16 Karnala 17 Matheran & Jummapatti 18 Naneghat 19 Tung 20 Lohagad 21 Manikgad 22 Mahuli 23 Koraigad 24 Jijamata Udyan 25 Kolhapur 26 Concerning Habitats 27 Sahyadris (an overall landscape) 28 Dry-deciduous 29 Moist deciduous 39 Perennial Stream 31 Shrubland 32 Meadow 33 Forest Stream 34 Perennial Lake 35 Plateau Grassland 36 Exotic Plantation 37 Concerning Flora 39 Acanthus ilicifolous 42 Asystasia dalzelliana 42 Strobilanthes callosus 42 Barleria prattensis 42
Belpharis asperrima 42 Pinda concanensis 42 Ceropegia lawii 43
rollae 43 attenuata 43 vincaefolia 43
Senecio grahamii 43 Impatiens pulcherrima 43
oppositifolia 44 balsamina 44
Begonia crenata 44 concanensis 44
Adelocaryum malabaricum 44 Golriosa superba 44 Cyanotis tuberose 45 Dinetus racemosus 45 Dillenia pentagyna 45 Dioscorea sp. 45 Eriocaulon sp. 45 Smithia setulosa 45
purpurea 46 Vigna vexillata 46 Exacum pumilum 46 Pogostemon deccanensis 46 Careya arborea 46 Iphigenia pallida 46 Chlorophytum glaucum 47 Utricularia striatula 47 Urena lobata 47 Martynia annua 47 Sonerila scapigera 47 Ensete superbum 47 Acampe sp. 48
INDEX
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Vanda testacea 48 Cottonia peduncularis 48 Oberonia recurva 48 Habenaria rariflora 48
grandifloriformis 48 foliosa 49
Pectilis gigantean 49 Porpax sp. 49 Aeginetia indica 49 Sesamum orientale 49 Coix sp. 49 Neanotis lancifolia 50 Pavetta indica 50 Sophubia delphinifolia 50 Helecteres isora 50 Clerodendrum serratum 50 Cayratia trifolia 50 Cucurma pseudomantana 51 Kaempferia scaposa 51 Concerning Fungi 52 Aphyllophorales 54 Dacryopinax spathularia (?) 54 Bracket Fungus 54
with gills 54 Macrolepiota sp. 55 Concerning Invertebrates 56 Land crab with offspring 58 Millipede congregation 58 Land snail 58 Concerning Insecta 59 Coleoptera (Beetles) 61 Leaf-rolling Weevil 62 Sternocera sp. 62
Longhorn beetle 62 Flea Beetle 62 Chrysochus sp. 62 Leaf Beetle – pair 62 Clytria sp. 63 Leaf Beetle 63 Sagra femorata 63 Cicindela viridicincta 63
fabriciana 63 colicia 64 azureocincta 64
Menochilus sexmaculatus 65 Unidentified Weevil 65 Dytiscidae 65 Elateridae 65 Lampyridae 65 Languriidae 65 Lycidae 66 Epicauta waterhousei 66 Mylabris pustulata 66 Blister beetle 66 Epicauta sp. 66 Macrosaigon sp. 66 Onthophagus sp. (?) 67 Dung Beetles 67 Clinteria sp. 67 Popilla sp. 67 Popilla sp. (?) 67 Lepidoptera (Moths) 68 Pseudocatharylla sp. 69 Parotis sp. 69 Hyblaea purea 69 Anoba pectin 69
151
Dysgonia stuposa 69 Cerura priapus 69 Phauda sp. 70 Synanthedon sp. 70 Hawkmoth 71 Eupterotidae (Caterpillar) 71 Limacodidae (Caterpillar) 71 Cerura priapus (Caterpillar) 71 Psychidae (Caterpillar) 71 Trympanophora sp. (Caterpillar) 71 Lepidoptera (Butterflies) 72 Sarangesa dasahara Common Small Flat 72
Purendra Spotted Small Flat 72 Celaenorrhinus ambareesa Malabar Spotted Flat 72 Taigades litigiosa Water Snow Flat 72 Caprona ransonnetti Golden Angle 72 Pelopidas conjuncta Conjoined Swift 72 Iambrix salsala Chestnut Bob 73 Taractrocera ceramas Tamil Grass Dart 73 Caleta caleta Angled Pierrot 73 Castalius rosimon Common Pierrot 73 Chilades laius Lime Blue 73 Zizeeria karsandra Dark Grass Blue 73 Jamides celeno Common Cerulean 74
bochus Dark Cerulean 74 Chilades pandavaLorura atymnus Yamfly 74 Neptis hylas Common Sailor 74 Kallima horsfieldii Southern Blue Oakleaf 74 Elymnias hypermnestra Common Palmfly 75 Mycalesis sp. Bushbrown 75 Ypthima haubneri Common Four-ring 75 Euthalia nias Baronet 75 Hypolimnas misippus Danaid Eggfly 75
Phalanta phalantha Common Leopard 75 Pareronia valeria Common Wanderer 76 Vanessa cardui Painted Lady 76 Junonia almanac Peacock Pansy 76
orithya Blue Pansy 76 hierta Yellow Pansy 76 atlites Gray Pansy 76
Euploea core Common Indian Crow 77 Papilio clytia form clytia Common Mime 77
poltyes Common Mormon 77 Atrophaneura aristolochiae Common Rose 77 Graphium nomius Spot Swordtail 77 Eurema hecabe Common Grass Yellow 77 Abisara echerius Plum Judy 78 Euthalia aconthea Common Baron (Caterpillar) 78 Surendra quercetorum Common Acacia Blue (Caterpillar) 78 Charaxes bernardus Tawny Rajah (Caterpillar) 78 Hemiptera (True Bugs) 79 Callitettix versicolour Spittle Bug 80 Unidentified Spittle Bug 80 Spittle Bug nymph in Spittle Mass 80 Giant Water Bug 80 Nepholettix virescens 80 Unidentified Cicada 80, 81 Anoplocnemis phasiana 81 Homoepocerus sp. 81 Dalader sp. 81 Fulgorid 81 Leptocentrus sp. 82 Waterscorpion 82 Backswimmer 82 Antestiopsis sp. 82 Erthesina acuminata 82
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Erthesina acuminate (Nymph) 82 Stink Bug Nymph 83 Mealy Bug 83 Assassin Bug Nymph 83 Ricaniidae 83 Chrysocoris stolii (Nymph) 83 Pycanum ponderosum 83 Odonata (Dragonflies) 84 Gynacantha dravida 85
Bayadera 85 Epopthalmia vittata 85 Anax immaculifrons (Female ovipositing) 85
(Mating in Wheel Formation) 85 Neurothemis aurora (Male, Female) 86 Tramea limbata 86 Crocothemis servilia (Male, Female) 86 Orthetrum pruinosum 86 Rhodothemis rufa (Female) 87 Pantala flavescens 87 Potamarcha congener 87 Thylomis tillagra (Female) 87 Trithemis festiva 87 Diplacodes trivialis (Female) 87 Orthetrum glaucum (?) 88
luzonicum 88 Bradinopyga geminate 88 Trithemis pallidinervis 88 Odonata (Damselflies) 89 Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Nymph) 89 Agriocnemis pygmaea (Male, Female Red Morph, Mating) 89 Ichnura aurora 90
senegalensis (Feeding on I. aurora, Female) 90 Pseudagrion rubriceps 90
decorum 90 microcephalum 90
Vestalis gracilis 91 Lestes sp. 91 Disparoneura quadeimaculata (Male, Female 91 Diptera (True flies) 92 Robberfly (Male, Female, Teneral, Feeding) 93 Robberfly (Ovipositing on grass frond) 94 Beefly (Female, Mating pair) 95 Geron argentifrons 95 Bottle fly – Calliphoridae 95 Bengalia sp. 95 Beetle-backed fly 96 Teleopsis sp. (Male) 96 Long-legged fly 96 Dance fly (Hybotidae) 96 Lauxaniidae 96 Muscidae 96 Stilt-legged fly (Micropezidae) 97
Micropezidae: Taeniapterinae 97 Ant-mugging fly (Milichiidae) 97 Snipe fly (Rhagionidae) 97 Scavenger fly (Sepsidae) 97 Pectilis sp. 98 Hermetia sp. 98 Hover fly 98 Syrphid fly 98 Tephritidae 98 Haematopota sp. 98 Philoliche sp. (Piercing cow for blood, Resting) 99 Dexia sp. 100 Prosena siberita 100 Torocca munda 100
153
Tachinid unidentified 100 Physiphora sp. 100 Ulidiidae 100 Midges in a spider‟s web 101 Aedes sp. (Piercing human) 101 Dark-winged fungus gnat (Sciaridae) 101 Ctenophora sp. (Ovipositing on stream bed) 101 Hymenoptera: Wasps 102 Bembix sp. 103 Cerceris sp. 103 Tachytes sp. 103 Ichneumon Wasp (Ovipositing on dead wood) 103 Callibracon sp. 104 Braconid Wasp 104 Velvet Ant (Male, Female) (Mutllidae: Trogaspidiini) 105 Spider Wasp 105 Chalybion sp. 106 Digger Wasp 106 Sphex sp. 106 Delta pyriforme 106 Polistes sp. 106 Vespa sp. 106 Hymenoptera: Ants 107 Anoplolepis gracilipes 108 Camponotus sp. 108
irritans 108 compressus 108
Polyrhachis sp. 108 Pheidole sp. 108 Crematogaster sp. 109 Diacamma rugosum 110 Leptogenis processionalis 110 Tetraponera rufonigra (Queen Ant, Worler) 110
Oecophylla smargdina (Queen with wings, without wings, workers, satellite nest)
111
Hymenoptera: Bees 112 Apis dorsata (Honeycomb) 113 Xylocopa sp. (Male) 113 Thyreus sp. (?) 113 Pseudapis sp. (Male) 113 Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Katydids) 114 Acrida sp. (Nymph, Adult) 115 Poekilocerus pictus 115 Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae 116 Katydids 117 Sathrophyllia sp. 118 Other Orders 119 Neuroptera: Lacewing (Eggs, Adult) 120
Owlfly 120 Mecoptera: Scorpionfly 121 Plecoptera: Stonefly 121 Blattodea: Eucorydia sp. 121
Unidentified roaches 121 Mantodea: Crebroter sp. 122
Mantis (Recently moulted) 122 Hierodula sp. (Female) 122 Gongylus gongylodes 122 Mantis Nymphs 122, 123
Phasmatodea: Stick insect 124 Concerning Arachnida 125 Araneae (Spiders) 127 Argiope sp. 128 Cyrtophora sp. 128 Neoscona sp. 128 Poltys sp. 128 Deinopis sp. 129
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Hersilia sp. 130 Hippasa sp. 131 Nephila polipes 131 Philodromidae 131 Peucetia viridana and two other Lynx Spiders 131 Asemonea tenuipes 132 Carrhotus viduus 132 Brettus sp. 132 Epocilla calcarata 132 Hasarius adansoni 133 Menemerus sp. 133 Myrmarachne sp. 133 Phintella vittata 134 Plexippus paykulli 134 Phlegra sp. 134 Rhene flavigera 134 Telamonia sp. 135 Thyene sp. 135 Scytodes sp. 135 Crossopriza sp. 136 Plesiophrictus millardi 136 Theridion sp. 136 Thomisus sp. 136 Zodariidae 136 Acarina (Mites and Tick) 137 Scorpiones (Scorpions) 138 Heterometrus sp. 138 Neoscorpiops sp. 138 Fish 139 Indoreonectes evezardi 139 Key Observations 140 Ceropegia sps. 140 Macrosaigon sp. 141
Philoliche sp. 141 Hybotidae & Rhagionidae 141 Gongylus gongylodes 142 Deinopis sp. 142 Indoreonectes evezardi 142 White-rumped Vulture 142 Hill-topping behaviour 142 List of Reference Materials Common Indian Wild Flowers Diptera.info Siam Insect Zoo & Museum Thaibugs Coccinellidae of the Indian Subcontinent ButterflyIndia Indian Foundation for Butterflies Dragonflies and Damselflies of Peninsular India Asia Dragonfly Spiders of Central India South Indian Spiders Insects of India Pictoral index of genera of the Indian Subcontinent Salticidae
Loaches Online (Community Edition) Fishbase India Nature Watch Biodiversity Heritage Library
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