Monday 24 November 2014

Mangina argus - Sikkim Moth

Mangina argus

Place : Shantinagar, Singtam, East Sikkim,
Date:July 16, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Mangina argus

Place : Chisopani, Singtam, East Sikkim,
Date:November 24, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan



Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia
Phylum:          Arthropoda
Class:              Insecta
Order:            Lepidoptera
Family:           Arctiidae
Genus:            Mangina
Species:           M. argus
Binomial name: Mangina argus (Kollar, [1847])

Other Names:

Special feature: 

Adults are pink except the white spotted markings on forewing, each with small black spot. The hind wings are darker pink with black spots.


Saturday 22 November 2014

Anthus hodgsoni (olive-backed pipit) - Sikkim Bird

Anthus hodgsoni (olive-backed pipit)

Venue: Chisopani, Singtam,  East Sikkim

Date: November 20, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan



Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia
Phylum:          Chordata
Class:             Aves
Order:            Passeriformes
Family:           Motacillidae
Genus:            Anthus
Species:           A. hodgsoni
Binomial name: Anthus hodgsoni (Richmond, 1907)


Other Names:  Olive-backed pipit, Indian pipit or Hodgson's pipit,

Special feature:  The scientific name of this bird commemorates the British ornithologist Brian Houghton Hodgson. (Source: Wikipedia)

Friday 14 November 2014

Hestina nama (Circe) - Sikkim Butterfly

Hestina nama  (Circe)

Place : Chisopani, Singtam, East Sikkim

Date: November 14,  2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan
Hestina nama  (Circe)

Place : Chisopani, Singtam, East Sikkim

Date: November 14,  2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan




Scientific classification

Kingdom:             Animalia
Phylum:               Arthropoda
Class:                    Insecta
Order:                  Lepidoptera
Family:                 Nymphalidae
Sub-Family:         Apaturinae
Genus:                  Hestina
Species:                 H. nama
Binomial name:    Hestina nama (Westwood, 1850)

Other Names: Circe


Special feature:  The genus Hestina consists of 11 species including several which were formerly included in Diagora or Diadema. Most are Batesian mimics of toxic Danaines - Hestina nama for example is a mimic of the Chocolate Tiger Parantica sita. (http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/)

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Morning glory (Ipomoea nil) - Sikkim Flora

  Morning glory (Ipomoea nil)
Place : Gangtok, East Sikkim
Date: November 25,  2011
Pic: Shital Pradhan



Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae
Phylum:          Angiosperms
Class:             
Order:             Solanales
Family:           Convolvulaceae
Genus:            Ipomoea
Species:           I. nil

Binomial name: Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth

Other Names:  Morning glory