Clerodendrum thomsoniae (bleeding-heart vine)- Sikkim Flora

Clerodendrum thomsoniae (bleeding-heart vine)

Place : Legship,  West Sikkim
Date: May 25, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Phylum:         

Class:             

Order:            Lamiales

Family:           Verbenaceae (or Lamiaceae)

Genus:            Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Species:          C. thomsoniae

Binomial name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae Balf.

Other Names:  bleeding glory-bower, glory-bower, bag flower, bleeding-heart vine

Special feature: It is a native to tropical West Africa from Cameroon west to Senegal.

The plant was named at the request of Rev. William Cooper Thomson (1829-22 March 1878), a missionary and physician in Nigeria, in honor of his late first wife. This plant was very popular during the mid 19th century under the name "beauty bush". It lost favour only when its unusual culture conditions were forgotten. Specifically, its root system must be partially submerged in water most of the time, and it wants very good light.

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

Rubus ellipticus (Yellow Himalayan raspberry) - Sikkim Shrub

Rubus ellipticus (Yellow Himalayan raspberry)

Place : Chayataal, Hee, West Sikkim
Date: May 24, 2014; Pic: Shital Pradhan

The Yellow Himalayan Raspberry, scientifically known as Rubus ellipticus, is a unique plant belonging to the order Rosales and the genus Rubus. This shrub is native to the Himalayan region, including countries like Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, and it can also be found in Southern China and the Philippines. In Nepali, it is commonly called ‘ऐँसेलु’ (Ainselu).

The Yellow Himalayan Raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) has a sweet and tangy flavour that is both juicy and refreshing. Its vibrant yellow berries can be eaten fresh or used in jams and desserts. They are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making them a delicious and nutritious treat!

One specific feature of the Yellow Himalayan Raspberry is that it is often used in traditional medicine for various health benefits, such as treating fevers and digestive issues. However, it can also be invasive, spreading quickly in some areas. 

Leopard Spot Longhorn Beetle (Coptops leucostictica) - Sikkim Beetle

Coptops leucostictica, commonly known as the Leopard Spot Longhorn Beetle or "Chhewar ko kira" in Nepali, is a species of beetle in the Cerambycidae family. First described by White in 1858, this beetle is found in India, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

It has a distinctive appearance with leopard-like spots on its body. The beetle larvae feed on the Albizia julibrissin tree, also known as the silk tree or mimosa. The feeding habits of the larvae can damage the tree, leading to weakened branches and reduced health of the plant.

Acherontia lachesis (Death's-head Hawkmoth) - Sikkim Moth

Acherontia lachesis (Death's-head Hawkmoth)

Place : Dalapchand, East Sikkim,

Date: October 15, 2011
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Acherontia lachesis (Death's-head Hawkmoth)

Place : Dalapchand, East Sikkim,

Date: October 15, 2011
Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Class:              Insecta

Order:             Lepidoptera

Family:           Sphingidae

Genus:            Acherontia

Species:           A. lachesis

Binomial name:  Acherontia lachesis (Fabricius, 1798)

Other Names:  Bee Robber

Special feature: It is one of the three species of Death's-head Hawkmoth. They are very fond of honey; they can mimic the scent of honey bees so that they can enter a hive unharmed to get honey