25-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SOUTHERN GREEN STINK BUG (Nezara viridula),

Nezara viridula, commonly known as the southern green stink bug (USA), southern green shield bug (UK) or green vegetable bug (Australia and New Zealand), is a plant-feeding stink bug. Believed to have originated in Ethiopia, it can now be found around the world. Because of its preference for certain species of legumes, such as beans and soybeans, it is an economically important pest on such crops.

Several distinct morphs can be distinguished by the pattern of their exoskeleton coloration. The most common morph is predominantly green (Nezara viridula f. smaragdula), a less common morph is green with white or yellowish front margins on the head and the thorax (Nezara viridula f. torquata Fabricius, 1775) and a very rare morph has a uniformly orange or yellow (occasionally pink) coloration (Nezara viridula f. aurantiaca). 

10-6-2023 SINGAPORE GARDENS - CAT'S WHISKERS (Orthosiphon aristatus)

Orthosiphon aristatus, commonly known as cat's whiskers or Java tea, is a plant species in the family Lamiaceae (also known Labiatae). The plant is a medicinal herb found mainly throughout southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, and tropical Queensland, Australia. As a medical herb, it is used for increasing excretion of urine, lowering uric acid, protecting kidney, reducing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, protecting liver, protecting stomach, lowering blood pressure, ameliorating diabetes, ameliorating hyperlipidemia, fighting microorganisms and fighting anorexia. It is known as kumis kucing in Indonesia and misai kucing in Malaysia, both of which translate to cat's whiskers.

Orthosiphon aristatus is used in landscaping to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to its nectar.

10-6-2023 SINGAPORE GARDENS - MEXICAN PLUMERIA (Plumeria rubra)

Plumeria rubra is a deciduous plant species belonging to the genus Plumeria. Originally native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela, it has been widely cultivated in subtropical and tropical climates worldwide and is a popular garden and park plant, as well as being used in temples and cemeteries. It grows as a spreading tree to 7–8 m (23–26 ft) high and wide, and is flushed with fragrant flowers of shades of pink, white and yellow over the summer and autumn.

Its common names include frangipani,[2] red paucipan,[2] red-jasmine,[2] red frangipani, common frangipani, temple tree,[2] or simply plumeria. Despite its common name, the species is not a "true jasmine" and not of the genus Jasminum.

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - BLUE NAPED PARROT (Tanygnathus lucionensis)

The blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), also known as the blue-crowned green parrot, Luzon parrot, the Philippine green parrot, and locally known as pikoy, is a parrot found throughout the Philippines.

The species is widespread throughout the Philippines, including the Talaud Islands and islands off north and east Borneo (with introduced population in Borneo itself, e.g. Kota Kinabalu). It is found in secondary forest, at forest edges and in plantations at elevations of up to 1000 m. Flock size is usually under a dozen. The blue-naped parrot feeds on mangoes, berries, seeds, nuts and grains. It nests in tree holes. 

24-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - OUACHITA MAP TURTLE (Graptemys ouachitensis) (JUVENILE)

The Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) is a species of turtle belonging to the family Emydidae.

In recent years the Sabine map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis) has been recognized by many as a full species Sabine map turtle (Graptemys sabinensis).

This species is endemic to the United States. It can be found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. G. o. sabinensis exists only in the Sabine River of Louisiana and Texas. Both G. o. ouachitensis and G. o. sabinensis are freshwater riverine turtles. The G. o. ouachitensis is rarely seen on land unless it is nesting season or it is basking.

25-5-2023 SUKAU, BORNEO - JUNE BEETLE (Subfamily Melolonthinae)

Melolonthinae is a subfamily of the scarab beetles (family Scarabaeidae). It is a very diverse group; distributed over most of the world, it contains over 11,000 species in over 750 genera. Some authors include the scarab subfamilies Euchirinae and Pachypodinae as tribes in the Melolonthinae.

Unlike some of their relatives, their habitus is usually not bizarre. They resemble the Rutelinae in being fairly plesiomorphic in outward appearance. Like in many Scarabaeidae, males have large fingered antennae, while those of the females are smaller and somewhat knobby. In the Melolonthinae, this sexual dimorphism is particularly pronounced. Many species have striking – though rarely brilliant or iridescent – hues and bold patterns of hairs.

Being often quite sizeable and swarming in numbers at certain times, for example the Amphimallon, Phyllophaga and Polyphylla "june beetles" or the Melolontha cockchafers – all from tribe Melolonthini – feature widely in folklore. Some Melolonthinae are economically significant pests. Other than the Melolonthini, the most diverse tribes are the Ablaberini, Liparetrini, Macrodactylini, Tanyproctini and Sericini.

 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - PACIFIC SWALLOW (Hirundo tahitica)

 The Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in tropical southern Asia and the islands of the south Pacific. It is resident apart from some local seasonal movements. This bird is associated with coasts, but is increasingly spreading to forested uplands. The hill swallow and the welcome swallow were formerly considered conspecific.

23-7-2023 RIO SERPIS VILLALONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The adult little egret is 55–65 cm (22–26 in) long with an 88–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan, and weighs 350–550 g (12–19 oz). Its plumage is normally entirely white, although there are dark forms with largely bluish-grey plumage. In the breeding season, the adult has two long plumes on the nape that form a crest. These plumes are about 150 mm (6 in) and are pointed and very narrow. There are similar feathers on the breast, but the barbs are more widely spread. There are also several elongated scapular feathers that have long loose barbs and may be 200 mm (8 in) long. During the winter the plumage is similar but the scapulars are shorter and more normal in appearance. The bill is long and slender and it and the lores are black. There is an area of greenish-grey bare skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye which has a yellow iris. The legs are black and the feet yellow. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but have greenish-black legs and duller yellow feet, and may have a certain proportion of greyish or brownish feathers. The subspecies nigripes differs in having yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet. During the height of courtship, the lores turn red and the feet of the yellow-footed races turn red.

 

23-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - IBERIAN GREEN FROG (Pelophylax perezi)

The Perez's frog (Pelophylax perezi), also known as Iberian waterfrog, Iberian green frog or Coruna frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is native to southern France, Portugal, Spain, and has been introduced to the Canary and Balearic Islands,[ Madeira, the United Kingdom, and the Azores. In the Iberian Peninsula it is widespread and common.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, sandy shores, arable land, and urban areas. It is not considered threatened by the IUCN.

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - YELLOW BREASTED WARBLER (Phylloscopus montis)

The yellow-breasted warbler (Phylloscopus montis) is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Palawan Island in the Philippines. The species is most common on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

The species nests in mid-February and breeds February-April. It builds domed nests with a side entrance out of grasses and bryophytes. Nests are found among roots under the overhanging lip of an eroded bank or other similar place. It forages for food alone or with small parties of not more than five birds.

The yellow-breasted warbler was previously placed in the genus Seicercus. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2018 found that neither Phylloscopus nor Seicercus were monophyletic. In the subsequent reorganization the two genera were merged into Phylloscopus which has priority under the rules of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

The yellow-breasted warbler has a large range and a steady population size. From the perspective of conservation biology, this species is classified as one of least concern, meaning it does not appear to be threatened or vulnerable to extinction at the present time.

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - ROUGH MABUYA (Eutropis rudis)

Eutropis rudis, commonly known as the rough mabuya or brown mabuya, is a species of skink. It is found in the Maritime Southeast Asia: Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, Java, and Sulawesi), Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Philippine Islands, Sulu Islands, as well as on the Nicobar islands of India.

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - WALLACE'S HAWK EAGLE (Nisaetus nanus)

Wallace's hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nanus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Kra Isthmus, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is among the smallest eagles in the world at about 46 cm (18 in) long and weighing 500–610 g (1.10–1.34 lb) (about the size of a peregrine falcon).

It is named after Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist.

 

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - WHITE BROWED SHRIKE BABBLER (Pteruthius aeralatus)

 The white-browed shrike-babbler (Pteruthius aeralatus) is a bird species found in the eastern Himalayas and Southeast Asia from northern Burma to southern Cambodia. Like others in the genus it is found in montane forests. Males and females have different plumages and variations occur through its range with several populations being treated as subspecies. It is part of a cryptic species complex and was earlier lumped as a subspecies of the white-browed shrike-babbler. Clements lumps this bird into the white-browed shrike-babbler.

24-5-2023 SUKAU RIVER LODGE, BORNEO - WRINKLED HORNBILL (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus)

The wrinkled hornbill or Sunda wrinkled hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus) is a medium-large hornbill which is found in forest in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.

This is a forest species and eats mainly fruit, such as figs, although it will also eat small animals such as frogs and insects. Wrinkled hornbills do not drink, but get the water they need from their food. Their call is a harsh "Kak-kak", or a deep "Row-wow" which can be heard for miles.

These birds are monogamous and remain in a pair for life. They use holes found in trees for nests, and the female will plaster over the entrance with mud and droppings, leaving a nesting mother and her chicks only a small hole, too small for them to exit. They are fed exclusively by the male, who regurgitates food for them. After several months, when the chicks are ready, the female will break out of her nest. 

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - CHESTNUT HOODED LAUGHING THRUSH (Pterorhinus treacheri)

The chestnut-hooded laughingthrush (Pterorhinus treacheri) is a species of bird in the laughingthrush family Leiothrichidae endemic to Borneo. Described by the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe as a distinct species in 1879, it was subsequently considered a subspecies of the chestnut-capped laughingthrush until 2007, when it was again raised to species status by the ornithologists Nigel Collar and Craig Robson. It is 22–24 cm (8.7–9.4 in) long, with a chestnut brown head and chin, with grey feathering on the top of the head. The upperparts and the side of the neck are slaty-grey, with a long white wing patch. The throat, breast, and upper belly are dull yellowish-brown, with purer grey flanks and a reddish-brown vent, lower belly, and thighs. It has a yellow half eye-ring behind and below the eye, while the tail has a blackish tip. Both sexes look similar, while juveniles are duller than adults.

The species inhabits montane and hill forest, forest edge, disturbed vegetation, and cultivated areas in mountains in the north-central and southeastern parts of Borneo. It is mainly found at elevations of 600–2,800 m (2,000–9,200 ft), but can be found down to 200 m (660 ft) and as high as 3,350 m (10,990 ft). It is omnivorous, feeding on arthropods, fruit, and flowers. Breeding occurs from February to April and in October, with the species building cup nests and laying clutches of two bright blue to greenish-blue eggs. It is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its very large range, fairly large population, and a lack of significant population decline, but its numbers are thought to be decreasing and it is threatened by habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation.

 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - SWALLOWTAIL MOTH (Lyssa menoetius)

Lyssa menoetius is a moth of the family Uraniidae. The species was first described by German entomologist Hopffer in 1856.

The species is native to Borneo, Sangihe, Sulawesi, and the Philippines. A few specimens have been found recently in Southern Thailand. It is mostly found in forested areas at moderate elevations. The larvae feed on the leaves of Omphalea bracteata and O. sargentii. 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - COMMON FLANGETAIL DRAGONFLY (Ictinogomphus decoratus)

This is a very widespread species found in disturbed habitats, with no major threats known. This species is found from Thailand through to Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also in southwest China. There does not appear to be any records from Myanmar, but it is likely to be present there.

 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - POND ADJUTANT DRAGONFLY (Aethriamanta gracilis)

Pond adjutant is a small and pretty common dragonfly that is widespread around grassy water edges of the reservoirs. It is not a forest species dragonfly.

This dragonfly is found at most water-bodies ponds, lakes and reservoirs such as MacRitchie, Upper Seletar and Mandai, amongst other places.

22-7-2023 RIO SERPIS, GANDIA - BROAD SCARLET DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis erythraea)

The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, and scarlet darter.

The scarlet dragonfly is a common species in southern Europe and throughout Africa. It also occurs across western Asia as far as southern China. It is a very rare vagrant in Britain. Its first record in the country was at Hayle Kimbro Pool, The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then there have been a few further records at scattered locations throughout Britain.

A wide range of both running and standing waters, except those that are shaded. Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland; absent from dense forest.

22-7-2023 RIO SERPIS, GANDIA - MEDITERRANEAN TURTLE (Mauremys leprosa)

The Iberian pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa), also known as the Mediterranean pond turtle or Mediterranean turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.

 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - RED PERCHER DRAGONFLY (Neurothemis ramburii)

 Neurothemis ramburii is a species of insects with 1264 observations

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - RUFOUS MARSH GLIDER DRAGONFLY (Rhodothemis rufa)

The spine–legged redbolt, also known as rufous marsh glider, and common redbolt, (Rhodothemis rufa) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries.

It is a medium-sized dragonfly with red eyes, thorax and abdomen. But young males and females have a mid-dorsal citron-yellow stripe in the pro-thorax and a citron-yellow stripe on mid-dorsum of the abdominal segments. These marks get obscured by pruinescence in adult males. Color of female is brown. It breeds in open ponds, marshes and lakes.

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - GIANT FOREST ANT (Dinomyrmex gigas)

Dinomyrmex gigas or giant forest ant. D. gigas is a large species of ant, native to Southeast Asian forests. It is one of the largest ants in existence, measuring in at 20.9 mm (0.82 in) for normal workers, and 28.1 mm (1.11 in) for the soldiers. Honeydew makes up 90% of their diet, but they will also consume insects and bird droppings. The ant is an effective forager, utilizing both efficient communication and recruitment. A handful of these ants may meet at night to engage in what has been observed to be ritual battle. These fights can continue for several months.

Colonies consist of typically about 7,000 workers, distributed unevenly among several nests. There are two types of workers, with the larger ones almost three times as heavy. They forage mainly at night, however, some workers will be outside the nest during the day.

This species is found in Southeast Asian rain forests from Sumatra, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo to Thailand.

23-5-2023 SAKAU RIVER LODGE, BORNEO - COLOUR SERGEANT BUTTERFLY (Athyma nefte)

 Athyma nefte, the colour sergeant, is a species of brush-footed butterfly found in tropical South and Southeast Asia.

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - CREPE GINGER (Hellenia speciosa)

 The plant has many historical uses in Ayurveda, where the rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness. It is used to treat kidney problems and other urinary problems in Mizo Traditional Medicine. It was used as a traditional medicine by Malays when evil spirits have possessed a body, as well as for the treatment of high fever, smallpox and as a purgative.