11-10-2026 CANOPY LODGE, PANAMA - CRIMSON BACKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) WEBCAM

The crimson-backed tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela, and introduced to French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. A nickname in Panama is sangre de toro ("Blood of the bull").

The crimson-backed tanager was first described by French naturalist Frédéric de Lafresnaye in 1837. It is one of nine species of brightly coloured tanagers of the genus Ramphocelus. Mitochondrial DNA evidence indicates its closest relative is the masked crimson tanager (R. nigrogularis), and the two split around 800,000 years ago.

Measuring around 18 cm (7.1 in) in length, the adult male has a silver sheen on its lower mandible. Its whole head and chest are a maroon red, brightening to a bright red on its lower back and abdomen. Its wings and tail are black. The female is duller with blackish underparts.

It is found in northern and western Colombia (south to Chocó where it is uncommon, the Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela, and over most of Panama, where it extends to Chiriquí and Veraguas Provinces in the west of the country, as well as Coiba, where it is abundant, and Pearl Islands. It inhabits forest, scrub and gardens.

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus)

The brown shrike (Lanius cristatus) is a bird in the shrike family that is found mainly in Asia. It is closely related to the red-backed shrike (L. collurio) and isabelline shrike (L. isabellinus). The genus name, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes are also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits. The specific cristatus is Latin for "crested", used in a broader sense than in English. The common English name "shrike" is from Old English scríc, "shriek", referring to the shrill call.

Like most other shrikes, it has a distinctive black "bandit-mask" through the eye and is found mainly in open scrub habitats, where it perches on the tops of thorny bushes in search of prey. Several populations of this widespread species form distinctive subspecies which breed in temperate Asia and migrate to their winter quarters in tropical Asia. They are sometimes found as vagrants in Europe and North America.

This shrike is mainly brown on the upper parts and the tail is rounded. The black mask can be paler in winter and has a white brow over it. The underside is creamy with rufous flanks and belly. The wings are brown and lack any white "mirror" patches. Females tend to have fine scalloping on the underside and the mask is dark brown and not as well marked as in the male. The distinction is not easy to use in the field but has been tested with breeding birds in Japan where the female can be identified from the presence of a brood patch. The use of multiple measurements allows discrimination of the sex of about 90% of the birds. Subspecies lucionensis has a grey crown shading into the brown upperparts and the rump appears more rufous than the rest of the upper back. The tail is more brownish and not as reddish as in the red-backed shrike. Younger birds of lucionensis have a brown crown and lack the grey on the head. Subspecies superciliosus has a broad white supercilium and a richer reddish crown. The tail is redder and tipped in white.

A number of confusing forms are known from central Asia where the populations of cristatus, isabellinus and collurio overlap. The taxonomy has been in a state of flux and some forms such as phoenicuroides formerly considered as subspecies of L. cristatus have been moved to the species L. isabellinus. Subspecies lucionensis has been recorded interbreeding with superciliosus in Ishikawa, Japan while superciliosus has interbred with Lanius tigrinus in central Japan.

The nominate form breeds in northern Asia from Mongolia to Siberia and winters in South Asia, Myanmar and the Malay Peninsula. The race confusus described from the same region is not well marked but is said to have a wider white brow and paler upperparts and is sometimes included within the nominate population. Subspecies superciliosus (sometimes called the Japanese shrike) breeds on the islands of Sakhalin, Kuril and Japan and winters in Hainan, Sumatra, Java, and the Sundas. Subspecies lucionensis, sometimes known as the Philippine shrike (local names: tarat or pakis-kis), breeds in Korea and eastern China wintering mainly in Taiwan and the Philippines but also on the Andaman Islands and in peninsular India. Stuart Baker suggested that the species may breed in the Cachar Hills of Assam but the idea was questioned by Claud Buchanan Ticehurst.

This species is rare in Europe and vagrants have been recorded in the United States and Canada.

11-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - (TRUE WEEVIL Coniocleonus excoriatus)

Coniocleonus excoriatus is a species of true weevil belonging to the family Curculionidae and the subfamily Lixinae. Commonly known as a type of snout beetle or gorgojo in Spanish, it was first described by Leonard Gyllenhal in 1834.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: Adults typically measure around 10 to 14 mm in length.

• Appearance: It has a highly armored, robust, and elongated spindle-shaped body with a tough exoskeleton.

• Rostrum: Like other true weevils, its head features a distinctive snout (rostrum), which in this species is notably short and broad.

• Coloration: It possesses highly cryptic coloration ranging from gray to brown. Its elytra (wing covers) are marked with intricate geometric dark patterns, notably featuring two dark, somewhat trapezoidal or fish-tail-shaped spots along the mid-sutural line.

• Pronotum: The upper thorax (pronotum) exhibits distinctive, light-colored sub-lateral longitudinal lines that start behind the eyes and diverge outward.

Distribution and Habitat

The species is widely distributed across Central and Southern Europe, the Canary Islands, and North Africa. It is particularly common in sun-exposed, arid, and sandy areas of the Iberian Peninsula, such as the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Ecology and Life Cycle

• Diet: Coniocleonus excoriatus is a plant-feeding (phytophagous) insect. Adults are typically found feeding on the leaves, stems, and flowers of large thistles, such as those from the genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum, as well as artichoke plants (Cynara). They are also documented interacting with certain weed species like Emex spinosa.

• Development: The larvae live ectophagously or develop inside the receptacles of thistle seed heads, making them specialized consumers of these host plants.

10-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PUG MOTH (Eupithecia semigraphata)

Eupithecia semigraphata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found from most of Europe (except the Netherlands, Ireland, Great Britain, Denmark, Fennoscandia, the Baltic region and Portugal) to the Caucasus and Armenia. It is also present on the Canary Islands and North Africa.

The wingspan is about 18–20 mm. Adults are on wing from late June to August in one generation per year.

The larvae feed on the flowers of Calamintha (including Calamintha nepeta and Calamintha sylvatica), Hypericum, Origanum and Thymus species. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.

10-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

Scopula asellaria is a small moth belonging to the family Geometridae (geometer moths). It was first formally described by German entomologist Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1847.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: It has a modest wingspan of 17 to 21 mm.

• Appearance: The wings feature a pale, whitish, or light-gray base color covered with a fine dusting of tiny brown or blackish spots. Its species name, asellaria, comes from the Latin word asellus (little donkey), a historical nod to its soft, donkey-gray coloration.

Distribution & Habitat

The moth is predominantly found across Southern Europe and North Africa. It favors dry, xeric environments with low vegetation, such as rocky outcroppings, scrublands, and steppe hills.

Life Cycle & Diet

• Larval Diet: The caterpillars are polyphagous but are known to primarily feed on the dry parts and flowers of Silene species (campions).

• Behavior: Like other geometer moths, its caterpillars move with a distinct looping motion, often closely resembling small twigs to camouflage themselves from predators.

10-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEARL MOTH (Udea numeralis)

Udea numeralis is a species of small moth belonging to the family Crambidae (grass moths) and the subfamily Spilomelinae. It was first documented and described by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1796.

Key Characteristics & Biology

• Appearance: The wingspan measures roughly 25–26 mm. Its forewings typically display variable base colorations ranging from straw-yellow and pale orange to copper-brown. The wings are patterned with distinctive darker spots, notably an orbicular stigma (circular mark) in the cell area and secondary gray or dark spots near the outer margin. Its legs are predominantly white.

• Distribution: This species is primarily native to Southern Europe (including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Crete) and North Africa (such as Morocco and Algeria).

• Habitat: It is frequently found in sunny, low-scrub environments, olive groves, riverbanks, and coastal regions.

• Host Plants: The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants within the Asteraceae (Compositae) family, including genera like Urospermum and Pterotheca.

• Flight Period: Depending on the local climate, adults can be found on the wing almost year-round in warmer Mediterranean zones, commonly peaking from spring through autumn.

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides)

The Burmese shrike (Lanius collurioides) is a species of bird in the family Laniidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - BURMESE MYNA (Acridotheres burmannicus)

The Burmese myna (Acridotheres burmannicus) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Myanmar and Yunnan, China.

The Burmese myna was considered conspecific with the vinous-breasted myna. Common names of the two split species were changed to "mynas" instead of "starlings" to match the genus.

This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - WHITE THROATED BABBLER (Argya gularis)

The white-throated babbler (Argya gularis) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is endemic to Myanmar.

This species was formerly placed in the genus Turdoides but following the publication of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study in 2018, it was moved to the resurrected genus Argya.

The white-throated babbler (Argya gularis) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is entirely endemic to Myanmar, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world.

• Size & Build: A medium-sized, long-tailed babbler measuring 25 to 27 cm in length.

• Plumage: It features a striking rich chestnut-brown or pinkish mid-brown crown and nape, a pale olive-brown back, and a distinctive bright white chin and chest. The lower underparts transition into a warm buffy-rufous or pale reddish belly. Its forecrown has greyish-white streaks.

• Facial Features: It has a dark greenish-brown bill and prominent eyes with a bright yellow to yellowish-white iris.

• Legs: Long, dirty pale green to brownish-green legs.

11-12-2015 BAGAN, MYANMAR - BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus)

The Burmese shrike (Lanius collurioides) is a compact, beautifully colored predatory songbird belonging to the shrike family (Laniidae). Like other shrikes, it is often nicknamed the "butcher bird" due to its distinct habit of impaling prey on sharp thorns or barbed wire to store as a "larder".

Key Characteristics

• Appearance: Measuring around 19 to 21 cm, males feature a striking slaty-gray crown, a broad black facial mask, a rich brick-red/rufous-chestnut back, and white underparts. Females are slightly duller, and juveniles exhibit a barred appearance.

• Behavior: It is a territorial hunter that watches for movement from exposed perches. Its calls consist of musical, varied notes mixed with harsh, noisy chatters

12-12-2015 BAGAN, BURMA - COMMON KINGFISHER (MALE) (Alcedo atthis)

 The Common kingfisher in most parts of its range is indeed common, but it is under threat from river pollution, disturbances, and human developments. It is also vulnerable to bouts of severe winter weather, as it is unable to feed when bodies of water freeze over.

Common kingfishers serve as a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem. As they feed on small aquatic animals, toxins in the water affect them severely. A strong kingfisher population therefore usually means a healthy habitat. Common kingfishers are also important predators throughout their range of small fish from freshwater habitats, thus controlling their populations.

12-12-2015 BAGAN, BURMA - PIED BUSH CHAT (FEMALE) (Saxicola caprata)

The pied bush chat (Saxicola caprata) is a small passerine bird found ranging from West Asia and Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. About sixteen subspecies are recognized through its wide range with many island forms. It is a familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or grassland where it is found perched at the top of short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking out for insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the ground, and were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now considered as Old World flycatchers.

They nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an embankment, lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The males are black with white shoulder and vent patches whose extent varies among populations. Females are predominantly brownish while juveniles are speckled.

5-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata),

 Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LARGE TREE CRICKET (Oecanthus dulcisonans)

Oecanthus dulcisonans is a species of cricket sparsely but widely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Middle East.

The species can be found in several Thyrrhenian coastal regions of Italy, as well as in Sardinia and Sicily. O. dulcisonans was originally reported from Saudi Arabia and is present also in the Canary Islands.

In the Mediterranean area, its range overlaps that of its congener O. pellucens. According to some studies, O. dulcisonans sings preferentially from trees while O. pellucens seems to prefer high grass such as the vegetation growing along the small streams.

This thermophilic and heliophilic species is not particularly demanding, and can be found both in wet and in xeric environments.

The adult males grow up to 13–15 millimetres (0.51–0.59 in) long, while females reach 14–16 millimetres (0.55–0.63 in). The overall color is yellowish. Long forewings cover entirely the abdomen, hind wings are decidedly longer. It can be distinguished from O. pellucens by its bigger size, by the different shape of the sternal plate, and by the male genitalia. The morphological differences were investigated by Cordero et al. 

Its namesake song is among the most useful characters to recognize O. dulcisonans form O. pellucens: the strong and melodious trill of the former is continuous, as opposed to the equal, discrete 0.5sec - 1sec trills of O. pellucens. Furthermore, peak frequency by O. dulcisonans is slightly higher. Both species are difficult to locate by the unaided ear: the insect can vary the elevation of the forewings making difficult to identify the provenance of the sound, reverberated by the high grass or by the reeds.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BURNT PINE LONGHORN BEETLE (Arhopalus ferus)

 Arhopalus ferus, commonly known as the burnt pine longhorn beetle, is a species of long horn beetle, of the order Coleoptera. It was first described by French entomologist Étienne Mulsant in 1839.

Adult beetles are 8–30 mm long reddish-brown to black, while males are generally smaller and lighter in colour.

The body is elongated and oval, typical for longhorn beetles. The head angles forward, showing most of the mouth parts. The thread-like antennae are half to three-quarters of the body length, longer in males. The prothorax is smoothly curved with no spines, narrower than the elytra. The elytra have four ridges and slightly tapering sides.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

 Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

9-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEARL MOTH (Udea numeralis)

The pearl moth (Udea numeralis) is a small species of snout moth in the family Crambidae.

Overview and Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: Approximately 25 to 26 mm.

• Description: Originally described by the entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1796. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae and the genus Udea.

Distribution and Habitat

• Location: It is found in Southern Europe—including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Greece (such as the island of Crete)—as well as North Africa (Algeria and Morocco).

• Habitat: Commonly observed in warm, Mediterranean environments like olive groves and river banks.

Biology and Diet

• Food Plants: The larvae feed on plants from the Compositae (aster/daisy) family.

• Flight Period: In warmer southern regions like Crete, adults can be recorded across an extended period of the year.

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN LACE BORDER MOTH (Scopula submutata)

The Mediterranean lace border moth (Scopula submutata) is a small, pale-winged geometrid moth native to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.

Physical Characteristics & Life Cycle

• Wingspan: Measures 20 to 25 millimeters (0.79 to 0.98 inches) across.

• Flight Period: Produces two generations each year, with adult moths active from May through October.

• Overwintering: The insect survives the colder months in its larval (caterpillar) stage.

Habitat & Diet

• Natural Environment: Inhabits hot, dry, and rocky locations, including open grasslands and Mediterranean maquis shrublands.

• Host Plants: Caterpilla larvae feed primarily on mint-family plants (Lamiaceae), specifically wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and thyme species (Thymus).

8-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MARSH CRANEFLY (Tipula oleracea)

The marsh crane fly (Tipula oleracea) is a species of cranefly found throughout the Palaearctic and parts of the Nearctic.

Its specific name oleracea means "related to vegetables/herbs" in Latin and is a form of holeraceus (oleraceus).

 

A usually greyish species, but abdomen occasionally ferruginous and often with a blackish median and/or lateral longitudinal stripe. The wing length is 18–28 mm. The minimum space between eyes below is at most subequal to the maximum width of antenna! scape; the antennae are 13-segmented. The male tergite 9 has a short median projection (its breadth at base exceeding its length), and roundly bifurcated at apex, the bifurcations blackish; sternite 8 simple, 9 almost fused with tergite 9 (as in T. paludosa and T. czizeki). female wings as long as abdomen; sternal valves usually extending to about two-thirds length of cerci, cerci only slightly clubbed at tips.

Tipula oleracea is prevalent mainly in Europe. Their habitat ranges in the South to North Africa, but has a limit in Algeria to the East. In Europe the South-eastern boundary is in Greece. It occurs on some Greek islands such as Crete as a subspecies and is also on Malta. It is found in Northern Europe with the exception of Finland and Latvia. 

20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - BLUE CROWNED HANGING PARROT (Loriculus galgulus)

The blue-crowned hanging parrot (Loriculus galgulus) is a parrot species endemic to southern Burma and Thailand, Malaya, Singapore, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo). These parrots are 12cm in height and weight 28g and have a longevity of 14 years. They are recognized by their green plumage, black beak and characteristic blue feathers arranged like a crown on their head.

Blue-crowned hanging parrots have green plumage and adults have black beaks. There is sexual dimorphism between males and females of the species. Adult males have a characteristic blue "crown" patch on their head and a red mark on their throat as well as a red rump bordered by a yellow lower back. Adult females plumage is duller green in color compared to the males, they do not have the red throat mark and have a less apparent or absent blue crown on the head and lack yellow feathers on their lower back. Juveniles' plumage is dull green, they also have little to no blue crown patch, they have a little to no blue crown visible and their bills are light in color.

The calls these birds make when flying are shrill and squeaky. When flying in flocks, the calls can be described as rapid and ringing. As they forage, they utter shrill two-syllable calls.

The blue-crowned hanging parrot is distributed throughout southern Thailand, western Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and other nearby islands. The parrot inhabits forests, forest edges, swamps, riverine forest, bamboo patches, mangrove wooded gardens, and coconut groves, as well as plantations.

Throughout its range, Sulawesi is the only area where more than one Loriculus species is found because intraspecific competition usually prevents other closely related species from overlapping.

The hanging parrot can be observed travelling alone, in pairs, or in parties of 150 individuals in the canopy. During the mating season, bonded pairs will remain together and the male will chase off any other male that approaches.

Characteristic of hanging parrots, the blue-crowned hanging parrot sleeps upside down by hanging from tree branches. The birds climb or fly up tall trees and will hang by either both feet or only one foot and will fluff their feathers and tuck their head and neck into their body. This behaviour evolved in order to limit nighttime predation. The parrot's green plumage and hanging sleeping position imitates leaves among trees to camouflage themselves among the foliage. This behaviour was likely evolved from a common ancestor of Loriculus and Agapornis parrots endemic to Africa.

Young and sick birds are unable to hang and will perch sitting upright to sleep with their head turned to one side while tucked into the back feathers. Young birds have undeveloped modifications necessary for hanging but develop these rapidly as they fledge.

20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris)

The collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It is also known as the white-collared kingfisher, black-masked kingfisher or mangrove kingfisher. It has a wide range extending from the Red Sea across southern Asia to Melanesia. A number of subspecies and subspecies groups have been split from this species including the Pacific kingfisher, the Islet kingfisher, the Torresian kingfisher, the Mariana kingfisher, and the Melanesian kingfisher.

It is most commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. In some parts of its range, especially on islands, it can be seen further inland, ranging into forest or into mountain areas. Birds often perch conspicuously on wires, rocks or bare branches.

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH (Scopula minorata)

Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

 Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Lepidoptera

• Superfamily: Noctuoidea

• Family: Noctuidae

• Genus: Polymixis

7-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL RANUNCULUS (Hecatera dysodea)

Hecatera dysodea, the small ranunculus, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe, primarily in Central Europe and Southern Europe The northern boundary of the distribution is from the Baltic Sea and the southern part of Lithuania, Belarus, south of Moscow to the Urals. North Africa forms the distribution border in the south (from Algeria and Morocco) east they extend to the Middle East, Turkestan and across the Palearctic to Central Asia. It is an introduced species in North America, where it was first found in

The wingspan is 32–34 mm. The length of the forewings is 14–15 mm. Meyrick describes it thus - Forewings whitish irrorated with grey, median area suffused with grey and partly mixed with orange; subbasal line whitish, edged anteriorly with black mixed with orange; first and second lines whitish, edged internally with blackish; spots outlined with black mixed with orange; subterminal line formed of orange spots, preceded by some black scales. Hindwings pale grey, with darker posterior suffusion. Larva pale dull green, or yellowish freckled with brown; dorsal line pale, dark-edged; lateral dark, indistinct; spiracles black; head ochreous-brown or dull greenish.

3-1-2016 EDWARD YOUDE AVIARY, HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi ), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2018, fewer than 100 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

The Bali myna is a beautiful almost wholly white bird with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs, and a yellow bill. Both males and females are similar in appearance. The Bali myna is one of the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and fewer than 50 adults are assumed to currently exist in the wild.