Spirama retorta (Indian Owlet-moth) - Sikkim Moth

Spirama retorta (Indian Owlet-moth)

Place : Dalapchand, Rongli, East Sikkim,

Date:March 15,  2013
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom:            Animalia

Phylum:               Arthropoda

Class:                   Insecta

Order:                 Lepidoptera

Family:                Noctuidea

Genus:                 Spirama

Species:                S. retorta

Binomial name:    Spirama retorta (Clerck, 1764))

Other Names:

Special feature:

Coridius chinensis (Stink Bug) - Sikkim Insect

Coridius chinensis (Stink Bug)

Place : Dalapchand, Rongli, East Sikkim,

Date: January 2, 2012
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Class:              Insecta

Order:            Hemiptera (bugs)

Family:           Dinidoridae

Genus:            Coridius

Species:          C. chinensis

Binomial name: Coridius chinensis (Dallas, 1851).

Other Names:  Stink Bug

Special feature: "Coridius chinensis (Dallas) is eaten by one or more Assamese tribes." (Hoffmann, 1947).

"This species is very commonly used in China in an aphrodisiacal medicine and is on sale in Chinese medicine shops throughout China.  It is called 'Chu Shan Chung' or 'Hai Tao Chung' and was written about in 1590 by Li Shih chen and in 1890 by Fang Shui." (Hoffmann, 1947). (Source: ndsu.nodak.edu)

Euphorbia milii (Euphorbia) - Sikkim Flora

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Phylum:         

Class:              Magnoliopsida

Order:            Malpighiales

Family:           Euphorbiaceae
Genus:            Euphorbia

Species:          E. milii

Binomial name: Euphorbia milii Des Moul.

Other Names:  crown of thorns, Christ plant, Christ thorn

Special feature: It is a native to to Madagascar.

Euphorbus was the Greek physician of King Juba II (about 50 BC to 19 AD) of Numidia (present day Algeria).  King Juba II was the first person to find a succulent-type Euphorbia, and he named it after his physician. {Source: faculty.ucc.edu}

 

The species name commemorates Baron Milius, once Governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821. It is suspected that the species was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times, and legend associates it with the crown of thorns worn by Christ. 

The sap is moderately poisonous, and causes irritation on contact with skin or eyes. If ingested, it causes severe stomach pain, irritation of the throat and mouth, and vomiting. (Source: Wikipedia)

Nephila pilipes (giant golden orb weaver) - Sikkim Spider

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Class:              Arachnida

Order:            Araneae

Family:           Nephilidae

Genus:            Nephila

Species:           N. pilipes

Binomial name:  Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793)

Other Names: northern golden orb weaver or giant golden orb weaver

Special feature: Females are large and grow to a body size of 30–50 mm (overall size up to 20 cm), with males growing to 5–6 mm. It is one of the biggest spiders in the world.

The Nephila pilipes' web is vertical with a fine irregular mesh and not symmetrical, with the hub is usually nearer the top. Rather than egg sacks being hung in the web, a pit is dug which is then covered with plant debris or soil.

The first, second and fourth pairs of legs of juvenile females have dense hairy brushes, but as the spider matures these brushes disappear.

Source: Wikipedia

Neomarica northiana (Walking iris) - Sikkim Flora

Neomarica northiana (Walking iris)

Place : Sungdung, Rongli, East Sikkim
Date: March 30,  2010
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Neomarica northiana (Walking iris)

Place : Sungdung, Rongli, East Sikkim
Date: March 30,  2010
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Kingdom:       Plantae

(unranked):    Angiosperms

(unranked):    Monocots

Order:            Asparagales

Family:           Iridaceae

Subfamily:     Iridoideae

Tribe:              Mariceae

Genus:            Neomarica

Species:           N. northiana

Binomial name:  Neomarica northiana (Schneev.) Sprague

Other Names: Walking Iris, Apostle Plant

Special feature: