Anlion larva - Sikkim Insect

10.10.22 : Sakyong Chisopani JHS

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum:         Arthropoda

Class:         Insecta

Order: Neuroptera

Family:         Myrmeleontidae

Genus:         

Species:         

Binomial name:

 

Other Names: Doodlebug, Antlion

 

Euthalia lubentina (Gaudy Baron) - Sikkim Butterfly

 

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Class:              Insecta

Order:            Lepidoptera

Family:           Nymphalidae

Genus:            Euthalia

Species:          E. Lubentina

Binomial name: Euthalia Lubentina (Crammer, 1777)

Other Names: Banded Treebrown

Sand pit home of an antlion

 

Senna Alata (candle bush) - Sikkim Flora

Sakyong Chisopani JHS (12.09.22)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Order:            Fabales

Family:           Fabaceae

Genus:            Senna

Species:           S. Alata

Binomial name : Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.

Other Names:  Cassia alata, Emperor's candlesticks, candle bush, candelabra bush, Christmas candles, empress candle plant, ringworm shrub

Special feature: S. alata is native to most of the Neotropics (from Mexico and the West Indies to Paraguay), and can be found in diverse habitats. In the tropics, it grows up to an altitude of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). It is an invasive species in Austronesia.

The shrub stands 3–4 metres (9.8–13.1 ft) tall, with leaves 50–80 centimetres (20–31 in) long. The leaves close in the dark. The inflorescence looks like a yellow candle. The fruit, shaped like a straight pod, is up to 25 cm long. Its seeds are distributed by water or animals. The seed pods are nearly straight, dark brown or nearly black, about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, and 15 millimetres (0.59 in) wide. On both sides of the pods is a wing that runs the length of the pod. Pods contain 50 to 60 flattened, triangular seeds.

Senna alata (also known as Cassia alata) is often called the ringworm bush because of its very effective fungicidal properties, for treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin. The leaves are ground in a mortar to obtain a kind of "green cotton wool". This is mixed with the same amount of vegetable oil and rubbed on the affected area two or three times a day. A fresh preparation is made every day. Its active ingredients include yellow chrysophanic acid.

Its laxative effect, due to its anthraquinone content, is also well-proven. Senna alata is locally known as akapulko in the Philippines where it is used as both an ornamental and medicinal plant due to its laxative, purgative and anti-fungal properties. In Sri Lanka, known as Ath-thora, it is used as an ingredient in Sinhala traditional medicine.  (Source: Wikipedia)

Sulfur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphurous) - Sikkim Flora

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Order:            Asterales

Family:           Asteraceae

Genus:            Cosmos

Species:          C. sulphurous

Binomial name : Cosmos sulphurous Cav.

Other Names:  Sulfur Cosmos and Yellow Cosmos

Special feature: It is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, and naturalized in other parts of North and South America as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

This plant was declared invasive by the United States Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council in 1996. The flowers of all Cosmos attract birds and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly.

This species of Cosmos is considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may re-appear via self-sowing for several years. Its foliage is opposite and pinnately divided. The plant height varies from 1–7 feet (30–210 cm). The original and its cultivars appear in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Young shoots are eaten raw or cooked in Indonesia under the name of lalab or gudang.

The flowers are a dye, producing an orange-yellow dye, used in pre-Columbian America and later in southern Africa to dye wool. In Thailand, they are consumed in salads or herbal tea with the effect of inhibiting pancreatic lipase.

According to a Pakistani team (2017), in rats subjected to a high dose of paracetamol extract of the plant has a hepatoprotective effect.

A Ukrainian publication (2017) attributes to bread containing 10% dry extract of Cosmos sulphureus a good note for its organoleptic qualities. (Source: Wikipedia)

Delias agostina (Yellow Jezebel) - Sikkkim Butterfly

Scientific classification

Kingdom:              Animalia

Phylum:                 Arthropoda

Class:                     Insecta

Order:                    Lepidoptera

Family:                  Pieridae

Genus:                  Delias

Species:                 D. agostina

Binomial name:    Delias agostina (Hewitson, 1852)

Other Names:

Special feature:  . The butterfly is yellow and white.