Monsoon Beauty 2023 highlights are back to share Colorful poses and close encounters with alluring wildlife

• Sagarika in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, shared a close encounter with a a delightful and agile two-striped jumping spider.
• In the enchanting city of Bengaluru, Ayaan captures the majestic essence of a Rock Dragon
• Aniruddha never fails to amaze, and this time, he unveils a strikin sight of a colorful yellow and black Bamboo Tiger Longhorn beetle in West Bengal.
• While in Uttarakhand Trilok and Basanti spot a mystical, rare and spectacular large brown, gold, and black Wallich's Owl Moth
• The NMW 23 has been a treasure trove of fascinating moths, offering an incredible diversity of species. Over the next few days, we will take you on a special journey, unveiling the most enchanting Moth highlights. Stay tuned!

Insects : Moths

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Hawk, Sphinx, Silk, Emperor, and Allied Moths -Brahmin Moths

22nd to 30th July was National Moth Week (NMW).

During NMW 23 and even before that a great diversity of moths were observed. Over the course of the next few days we will specially share some Moth highlights

A some what rare and spectacular large brown, gold, black Wallich's Owl Moth (Brahmaea wallichii) was see by Basanti and Trilok in Munsiari, Uttarkhand

Observed by @triloksinghrana

Lead Identifiers : @pierotoni10 & @ram_k

Location : Munsiari, Uttarakhand, India

Observed on: 17th July 2023

@triloksinghrana's observation of the- Wallich's Owl Moth Brahmaea wallichii

@basanti1's observation of the- Wallich's Owl Moth Brahmaea wallichii

Trilok Rana on instagram

Basanti Rawat on Instagram

Arthropods : Spiders

Animals - Arthropods -Chelicerates - Arachnids - Spiders - Typical Jumping Spiders

Sagarika in Chennai, Tamil Nadu shares [A Close encounter with a Two-striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata) a typical jumping spider

@sagarika_chen

Observed by @sagarika_chen

Location : Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Observed on: 26th July 2023

Sagarika in on instagram with the handle sunbird2308

Reptiles - Rock Agamas

Animals - Chordates - Vertebrates - Reptiles - Snakes and Lizards - Lizards - Dragons - Flying Dragons & Allies - Rock Agamas

A Rock Dragon(Psammophilus dorsalis) poses for Ayaan in Bengaluru

Observed by @kunikimu

Location : Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Observed on: 29th July 2023

Insects : Beetle

Beetle Mania 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged and Once-winged Insects -Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Aniruddha continues to surprise with some colourful beetles, this time a yellow and black Bamboo Tiger Longhorn Chlorophorus annularis, in Kadma, West Bengal

Observed by @aniruddha_singhamahapatra

Location : Kadma, West Bengal India

Observed on: 27th July 2023

Aniruddha is India's leading Inaturalist observer, he shares on instagram as well.

Latest highlights from the event are documented on Instagram with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals

India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via inaturalist tagging or inaturalist message system

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Invitation:

Delhi Public School Raipur is organizing a series of nature education, nature photography and biodiversity documentation events under the aegis of India's Nature - Monsoon Beauty 2023. The events will take place from August 5 to September 9, 2023.

The activities include:

• A photo walk in the school campus on August 5
• A workshop on creating an animal sound library on August 12
• A talk on animals using animal pictures on August 19
• A weekly photography challenge from August 19 to September 9
• A field trip to Urja Park on September 9
• A wildlife photography competition on September 16

The event is being coordinated by a faculty member and a student coordinator, (@atharvkshatriya / Atharv Kshatriya.)

If you are interested in knowing more about the programme, please contact the following numbers:

Phone : +91 94242 01366 (Faculty Coordinator)
Email : dps.inaturalist@gmail.com

Stay updated and get more information about Monsoon Beauty 2023 -

• Latest highlights and event updates on Instagram
• Detailed highlights and event updates on Inaturalist Journals
• India's Nature is also on Telegram

Or contact:

• @ram_k (via Inaturalist)
• Email: indias.nature01@gmail.com
• WhatsApp: +91 70372 45201

Monsoon Beauty highlights from the 15th of July to the 4th of August 2023 showcase stunning photographs of various creatures in India. @jashsadiwala captured the graceful flight of a vulnerable Indian River Tern in Gujarat. In celebration of National Moth Week, there were two new records for Inaturalist Global, first @nomadash shared a captivating image of the Prominent Moth from Himachal Pradesh, then @rajkoranga contributed the Meanwhile from a rocky beach, Arijit Patra provided a glimpse of the mysterious ocean world with the Carbonnier's murex snail photograph from the South Indian coast. These sightings demonstrate the beauty and diversity of nature in India's monsoon season.

Birds : Indian River Tern

Animals- Chordates - Vertebrates -Birds - Shorebirds and Allies - Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers - Terns and Noddies -Typical Terns

A Vulnerable fresh water breeding Indian River Tern (Sterna aurantia) VU https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174532722 is beautifully captured in flight by @jashsadiwala in Gujarat, India

Observed by @jashsadiwala

Location : Gujarat, India

Observed on: July 2023

#### Notes :

• Threatened Species Status : "Vulnerable" Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
• As with other Sterna terns, the river tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, crustaceans, tadpoles and aquatic insects in rivers, lakes, and tanks. Its numbers are decreasing due to the pollution of their habitat.

Insects : Moths

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Owlet Moths & Allies -Prominent Moths - Subfamily Cerurinae

Bonus Moth : National Moth Week

A new record of Inaturalist Global from Himachal Pradesh

On the very first day of Monsoon Beauty 23 , and in the build up to National Moth Week 23 @nomadash shared a beautiful Prominent Moth Cerura roesleri from Manali, Himachal Pradesh , India. So far this is the only record

Observed by @nomadash

Location : Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India

Lead identifier : @rstlaurent @ajaylives

Observed on: 15th July 2023

Notes :

• Many species have a tuft of hair on the trailing edge of the forewing which protrudes upwards at rest. This gives them their scientific name "back tooth" and the common name of prominents. (Source Wikipedia)

Insects : Moths

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Owlet Moths & Allies -Cutworm Moths & Allies

National Moth Week Day 1 - 22nd July 2023

A new record of Inaturalist Global

At the start of National Moth Week 23 is a yet another new record for Inaturalist Global - a subtly coloured and aptly named "Most Beautiful" or Micardia pulcherrima moth observed by @rajkoranga in Uttarakhand, India

Observed by @rajkoranga

Location : Munsiari, Uttarakhand, India

Lead identifier : @pierotoni10

Observed on: 22nd July 2023

Notes

• Detailed notes on the identification of this moth are in the observation link here

Molluscs : Murex Snails

Animals - Molluscs - Gastropods - Caenogastropods - Order Neogastropoda - Murex Snails & Allies - Murex Snails

The seas and oceans are a vast and complex environment, and still an unchartered territory for science, especially citizen science.

From the South Indian coast Arijit Patra shares a Carbonnier's murex snail (Murex carbonnieri) a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc from Muricidae a family of rock snails or murex snails.

Observed by @arijit_p

Location : Rock Beach, Puducherry, India

Lead identifier : @yaozheng16

Observed on: 18th July 2023

Arijit posted via instagram here

Notes

• Information quoted from Wikipedia
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Latest highlights from the event are documented on

• Instagram
• with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals
• India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via inaturalist tagging or inaturalist message system

Welcome to India's Nature - Monsoon Beauty Talks 2023!

Join us for an enthralling talk on "The Amazing World of Spiders" by Samuel John, Co-founder of Spiders and the Sea.

In this talk we will explore some of most intriguing and fascinating creatures on the planet. Spiders are found all over the world, in every type of habitat, and there are over 5000 known species. Spiders are also incredibly diverse, with a wide range of body shapes, sizes, and behaviours.

By the end of this talk, we hope to have a deeper understanding of the natural history of spiders and the relationships that humans have shared with them through time.

About the Speaker :

Samuel John (@spidersandthesea) is the co-founder of 'Spiders and the Sea', a social enterprise working towards bridging people and nature - through outreach and creative storytelling. He is interested in the natural history of spiders and curious about the relationships humans have shared with spiders through time. When he's not photographing spiders or writing about them, he can be seen playing the blues for them. www.spidersandthesea.com

We look forward to you joining us for this informative and engaging talk on Spiders.

Event Details :

Date: Sunday, 13th August, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM IST

Join on Zoom : https://tinyurl.com/MonsoonTalks23
Meeting ID: 864 7628 8717
Passcode: 618087
Waiting Room - Enabled

(Note this Zoom Link is the permanent id for all Monsoon beauty 2023 Talks)

About the talk :**

• Duration: Approximately one hour with time for Q&A
• Language: English
• Suitable for all experience levels
• Q&A session at the end

About India's Nature : Monsoon Beauty 2023

Monsoon Beauty is a community science program organized by India’s Nature - A community science initiative - to encourage community/citizen scientists, novice & casual natural historians, and expert naturalists, especially those from rural India, to observe and record biodiversity during the monsoon season in India.

For More information about the Zoom talk or India's Nature contact via

• Whatsapp : +91 70372 45201
• Email : indias.nature01@gmail.com

Latest highlights from the Monsoon Beauty are documented on ;

• Instagram

• and on Inaturalist Journals
  *

• India's Nature is also on Telegram

Monsoon beauty Highlights (15th Jul. - 7th Aug. 23)

Continue to share in the enchanting world of Monsoon Beauty 2023, sweeping away those Monday Blues. Amidst the lush landscapes, elusive creatures come to life, as showcased in the captivating photo of the Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis) by Sahana M, capturing its fox-like charm. Delve into the realm of fungi with the exquisite Puffball Mushroom from Mukteshwar, shared by Maya Lodhiyal. National Moth Week adds to the spectacle with the Leaf Roller Moth (Loboschiza koenigiana) in rust and brown hues, a reminder of the vibrant moth universe, and the Sandstorm yellow and chocolate brown carpet moth (Hastina pluristrigata), a testament to Darjeeling's moth-rich mountains.

Mammals : Indian Fox

Animals -Chordates Phylum Chordata - Vertebrates - Mammals - Therians - Placental Mammals - Ungulates, Carnivorans, & Allies - Carnivorans - Canids - Typical Foxes

Wild mammals are common in our imagination and daily language, but some of them are difficult to spot in real life. The photo of Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis) from Mysuru, Karnataka, by Sahana M, captures the furtive nature of this mammal with its big ears and typical foxy features.

Observed by @sahanam

Location : Mysuru, Karnataka, India

Observed on: 2nd Aug. 2023

Fungi & Lichens : Gilled Mushroom & Allies

Fungi Including Lichens - Basidiomycete Fungi - Higher Basidiomycetes - Class Agaricomycetes - Subclass Agaricomycetidae - Common Gilled Mushrooms &Allies- Suborder Agaricineae - Puffballs

This Puffball Mushroom (Family Lycoperdaceae), shared by Maya Lodhiyal, from Mukteshwar, is a beautiful example of the diversity of fungi found in the world and being documented during Monsoon Beauty 2023.

Notes : Puffballs are fungi in the Family Lycoperdaceae, which are characterized by their white, spore-filled interior. When mature, puffballs release their spores into the air by puffing out like a dandelion. Some Puffballs are edible when young and firm, but they become poisonous as they mature.

Observed by @maya318

identifier @suresh_ghimire

Location : Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand India

Observed on: 24th July, 2023

Highlights from National Moth Week 22nd to 30th July 2023

Insects : Moths

23rd July 2023, Day 2: (Rust, Orange, Brown)

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Tortricid Leafroller Moths & Allies - Tortricid Leafroller Moths - Olethreutine Leafroller Moths - Tribe Enarmoniini - Genus Loboschiza

The dimunative but subtly brilliant rust, brown coloured Leaf Roller Moth Loboschiza koenigiana, shared by Ayaan S, is a yet another reminder of the colourful world of moths both big and tiny.

Observed by @kunikimu

Location : Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Observed on: 23rd July, 2023

Insects : Moths

24th July 2023, Day 3: (Brown with yellow)

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Geometrid & Swallowtail Moths - Geometer Moths -Carpet Moths - Tribe Asthenini -Hastina

This beautifully patterned Sandstorm yellow and chocolate brown carpet moth Hastina pluristrigata shared by Bon Pradhan, is another highlight from the Moth rich mountains of Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Observed by @bonpradhan

Location : Darjeeling, West Bengal India

Observed on: 24th July, 2023

Bon Pradhan is India's leading Moth observer on Inaturalist having contributed over 15000 records. He posts on Instagram here and shares many of his bugs, beetles and moths on his himalibugs channel as well.

Latest highlights from the event are documented on

Instagram

with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals

India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via inaturalist tagging or inaturalist message system

Monsoon Beauty Highlight 15th Jul. - 8th Aug. 23)

The marvels of the monsoon beauty's spotlight falls on the Hamadruas Lynx spider (Genus Hamadruas) , a skilled predator with keen senses and spiny appendages that dance through its habitat. The Ogre or Bog Orchid (Peristylus caranjensis), a terrestrial perennial plant, graces us from Pune, Maharashtra, . Our gaze then turns to things that flutter, the Yellow Geometer moth (Hyperythra lutea), a star of National Moth Week, from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, adds a touch of vibrancy to the monsoon canvas. While, an Emerald moth (Eucyclodes sanguilineata), also a National Moth Week Highligh, from Darjeeling, West Bengal, presents its adorned wings, a poetic reflection of the monsoon's artistic touch. These vignettes offer glimpses into the enchanting world where nature's beauty and scientific intrigue harmonize.

Plants : Orchids

Plants Kingdom - Vascular Plants - Flowering Plants - Monocots - Agaves, Orchids, Irises, and Allies - Orchids Family - Tribe Orchideae - Subtribe Orchidinae

A terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, sympodial herbs Ogre or Bog Orchid (Peristylus caranjensis) shared by Shiwalee Samant, from Pune, Maharashtra is an Orchid Odyssey Highlight.

The genus Peristylus is derived from the Greek words peri meaning 'around', and stylos 'column', referring to the arms on each side of the column. (Source : Wikipedia)

Observed by : @shiwalee

Location : Pune Division, Maharashtra, India

Observed on:6th August, 2023

Arachnid : Spiders

Animals - Arthropods - Chelicerates - Arachnids- Spiders - Typical Spiders - Entelegyne Spiders - Wolf Spiders & Allies - Lynx Spiders

This active hunting, keen eyed, spiny legged Hamadruas Lynx spider (Genus Hamadruas) is today's arachnid highlight.

Observed by : @anil_kumar_verma

Location : Thane, Maharashtra, India

Observed on: 5th August, 2023

Anil Kumar Verma is also on instagram

About Lynx Spiders

Lynx spiders are an Araneomorphae, which have fangs that face towards each other, increasing the orientations they can employ during prey capture. Most Lynx species make little use of webs, instead spending their lives as hunting spiders on plants. Many species frequent flowers in particular, ambushing pollinators, much as crab spiders do. They tend to tolerate members of their own species more than most spiders do, and at least one species has been identified as exhibiting social behaviour. (Source Wikipedia 1Source Wikipedia 2)

Insects : Moths

• National Moth Week 9(NMW) Day 5 and 6 Highlights

Continuing our series of highlight from NMW 22nd to 30th July 2023

NMW Day 4. 25th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Geometrid & Swallowtail Moths -Geometer Moths - Subfamily Ennominae - Hyperythra

A Yellow Geometer moth *(*Hyperythra lutea) is our National Moth Week Highlight shared by Tushar Agarwal from Raipur Chhattisgarh

Observed by : @tusharagarwal18

Location :

Lead Identifier : Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Observed on: 25th July 2023

NMW Day 5. 26th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Lepidoptera - Geometrid & Swallowtail Moths -Geometer Moths - Emerald Moths -Tribe Nemoriini - Eucyclodes

This Emerald moth (Eucyclodes sanguilineata) with brown borders and white pattern National Moth Week Highlight shared by Bon Pradhan, from Darjeeling, West Bengal

Observed by @bonpradhan

Location : Darjeeling, West Bengal India

Observed on: 24th July, 2023

Notes :

*Emerald moths * (Sub Family Geometrinae) are a nominate subfamily of the geometer moth family (Geometridae) . These moths are often a light bluish green, leading to the common name of emerald moths, though a few species called thus are also found in the tribe Campaeini of the Ennominae.

Bon Pradhan is India's leading Moth observer on Inaturalist having contributed over 15000 records. He posts on Instagram here and shares many of his bugs, beetles and moths on his himalibugs channel as well.

Latest highlights from the event are documented on

Instagram

with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals

India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via iNaturalist tagging or iNaturalist message system

Monsoon Beauty Highlight 15th Jul. - 9th Aug. 23

The viral phrase "It's Wednesday my dudes" pairs with an image of the South American Budgett's frog, but today's spotlight falls on India's most common amphibian, the Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), shared by Jagdish Negi from Uttarakhand and another observation of this toad by Arnab Kumar Samanta. Adding to the variety, a Pantropical Ogre-faced Spider (Genus Asianopis), with its intricate long limbed features, is captured by Jithesh Pai in Mangaluru. The National Moth Week highlights continue , on day 6 we have a grey-white Kamalia - A Prominent moth (Kamalia kandyia) observed in Tamil Nadu by Dinesh Kumar , while on Day 7, an exquisite caterpillar from the family of Slug Caterpillar moths (Family Limacodidae), documented in West Bengal by Aniruddha Singhamahapatra, steals the show. The journey through nature's wonders during NMW 2023 days 6 and 7 remains diverse and captivating.

Amphibian : Toads

Animals - Chordates - Vertebrates - Amphibians - Frogs & Toads - True Toads - Asian Toads

So one of today's highlight, shared by Jagdish Negi, from Uttarakhand is India's most common Amphibian (on Inaturalist) the Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)

Observed by :@jagdishnegi

Location : Almora, Uttarakhand, India

Lead Identifier : @debashischowdhury

Observed on: 3rd August, 2023

Jagdish Negi is an Ethical Nature Guide from Uttarakhand and shares some of his work on Instagram and YouTube

And since one is not enough here is another great Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) observation by Arnab Kumar Samanta from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.

Observed by :@arnabkumarsamanta

Location : South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Observed on: 29th July 2023

Arachnid : Spiders

Animals - Arthropods - Chelicerates - Arachnids- Spiders - Typical Spiders - Entelegyne Spiders -Hackled Orbweavers and Net-casting Spiders - Net-casting Spiders - Pantropical Ogre-faced Spiders

Yesterday we had an Ogre or Bog Orchid, today we have another ogre - a net casting , long, stick limbed Pantropical Ogre-faced Spiders (Genus Asianopis) as a Monsoon Beauty - 23 Highlight.

Belonging to the Deinopidae Family these spiders catch prey by stretching a web across their stick like elongated front legs before propelling themselves forward. These unusual webs will stretch two or three times their relaxed size, entangling any prey that touch them. (Source Wikipedia)

Observed by @jithesh

Location : Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

Observed on: 5th August, 2023

Insects : Moths

• National Moth Week 9(NMW) Day 6 and 7 Highlights

Continuing our series of highlights from NMW 22nd to 30th July 2023

Moths : NMW Day 6. 27th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) - Owlet Moths & Allies Prominent Moths- Subfamily Cerurinae - Genus Kamalia

On Day 6 of NMW 23 we have A beautiful close up of a grey-white Kamalia - A Prominent moth (Kamalia kandyia) observed in Tamil Nadu by Dinesh Kumar

Observed by ; @dineshkumar7

Location : Thazhambur, Tamil Nadu, India

Lead Identifier : @rstlaurent and @ajaylives

Observed on: 27th July 2023

Dinesh showcases some of his work on instagram

Moths : NMW Day 7. 28th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects -Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) - Flannel, Slug Caterpillar, Leaf Skeletonizer, & Allied Moths - Slug Caterpillar Moths

All flying moths were caterpillars once, so what better way to show off a caterpillar, on day 7 of NMW 23, than one from the family of Slug Caterpillar moths (Family Limacodidae) another beautiful documentation from west Bengal by the inimitable Aniruddha Singhamahapatra

Observed by : @aniruddha_singhamahapatra

Location : Kadma, West Bengal, India

Observed on: 28th July 2023

Aniruddha is also on instagram

Latest highlights from the event are documented on

Instagram

with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals

India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via inaturalist tagging or inaturalist message system

Monsoon Beauty Highlights - 15th Jul. - 11th August. 23

Plants : Ferns

Plants - Vascular Plants - Ferns - Leptosporangiate Ferns - Order Polypodiales - Suborder Pteridineae - Brake Family - Subfamily Vittarioideae - Maidenhair Ferns

Devika MB, shares this unique Broadleaf Maidenhair (Adiantum latifolium), from Kerala, belonging to the Genus Adiantum , a greek word meaning "unwetted", referring to the fronds' ability to shed water without becoming wet.

Definitely the freaky fronds we need in this wet Monsoon month.

Observed by @devika_mb

Location : Meloor, Kerala, India

Lead Identifier : @mwtreftig

Observed on: 18th July 2023

Notes :

Information sourced from Wikipedia

Reptiles : Snake

Animals Kingdom Animalia - Chordates - Vertebrates - Reptiles - Snakes and Lizards - Snakes - Shield-tailed Snakes

Ritu shares this fantastical nonvenomous Shield-tailed Snake(Genus Uropeltis). These snakes are endemic to Peninsular India. The name is derived from the Greek words*ura* ('tail') and pelte ('shield'), indicating the presence of the large keratinous shield at the tip of the tail.These snakes are not well known in terms of their diversity, biology, and natural history.

Observed by @ritu2008

Location : Amboli, Maharashtra, India

Observed on: 29th July, 2023

@ritu2008 is on instagram as pandian2004

Notes :

Information sourced from Wikipedia

Arachnid : Spiders

Animals - Arthropods - Chelicerates - Arachnids- Spiders - Typical Spiders - Entelegyne Spiders - Araneoid Spiders - Orbweavers - Subfamily Argiopinae - Garden Orbweavers

One of India's most easily observed and dramatic spiders is possibly this, giant signature spider, the Oval Saint Andrew's Cross Spider (Argiope aemula). Veena S, however, has captured a fascinating close up of what seems like a large female is its web with possibly the remains of a dead male that it likely ate after mating.

Observed by @veenas

Location : Bengaluru, KA, India

Observed on: 2nd August, 2023

Veena occasionally posts as vee_stills on Instagram

Females Spiders sometimes eat males after the mating ritual:

During mating when the male arrives at the female's web, he begins courtship. After courtship, the male inserts his palpal bulb into the female. This is known as the first insertion. After the first insertion, the male then jumps away from the female. Some males are eaten before they can escape. If they can successfully escape, the male begins the second insertion. Around half the time, the second insertion is successful while the other half, the male is eaten after the first insertion. Source Wikipedia

NMW Day 8. 29th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) - Hawk, Sphinx, Silk, Emperor, and Allied Moths - Sphinx Moths -Subfamily Sphinginae - Tribe Sphingini

This Plain Grey Hawkmoth (Psilogramma increta) shared by Poorna Sona, from Karnataka, belong to the a family called Sphinx or hawk moths (Family Sphingidae).

These moderate to large sized moths are different from other moths in their ability for agile and sustained flight, in fact similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight.

Observed by : @poorna_sona

Location : Paduvannur, Karnataka, India

Lead Identifier : @ajaylives

Observed on: 29th July, 2023

Information sourced from Source Wikipedia

Poorna shares her insights on nature via Instagram

NMW Day 9. 30th July 2023

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) - Flannel, Slug Caterpillar, Leaf Skeletonizer, & Allied Moths - Burnet Moths - Subfamily Chalcosiinae

This funky Caterpillar from the Achelura bifasciata Complex spotted in the hills of Meghalaya and shared by Batriti Lamare is another freaky Friday highlight.

Observed by : @ti_lamare

Location : Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Observed on: 30th July, 2023

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Batriti Lamare is on Instagram as well.

Latest highlights from the event are documented on

Instagram

with more complete details on Inaturalist Journals

India's Nature is also on Telegram

If you like an observation do use the Star Icon and fave the observation

To recommend an observation to be highlighted contact @ram_k via inaturalist tagging or inaturalist message system

Monsoon Beauty Highlights 15th Jul. - 12th Aug. 23)

Today we share a final moth from National Moth Week 2023, and also the last in our series of spiders in the lead up to tomorrows -Monsoon Beauty Talks : The Amazing World of Spiders (Sunday 13th Aug. 2023

NMW Day 10. 30th July 2023 - India Moon Moth

What better way to conclude the highlights from NMW 23 then an awesome Indian Moon Moth Indian Moon Moth (Actias selene)

Insects : Moths

Animals - Arthropods - Hexapods - Insects - Winged & Once-winged Insects - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera) - Hawk, Sphinx, Silk, Emperor, and Allied Moths - Emperor and Giant Silk Moths - Emperor Moths - Tribe Saturniini - Moon Moths

Cocoon - Community for Conservation of Nature, a Non Profit had organized a series of mothing events in Gujarat, during National Moth Week 2023, of the many wonderful moths observed by them we are happy to share an Indian Moon Moth (Actias selene) from Kanjeta, Gujarat India.

Coincidentally, the Moon was almost full on the 31st of July (official full moon was on the 1st of August 2023)

This is the Indian Moon Moth (Actias selene) by Venus Joshi

While Tarik Qureshi shares this observation , also from Kanjeta, Gujarat India.

Picture @birderbaba

Location : Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Kanjeta, Gujarat, India

Observed on: 31st July 2023 (4:04 am)

Venus Joshi is on instagram as birderbaba

Picture @leopards

Location : Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Kanjeta, Gujarat, India

Observed on: 31st July 2023 (5:30 am)

Tarik is on instagram here as densloepard

Why are they called Moon Moths ?

Moon moths are named after the ‘moon spots’ that appear on their wings. You can see them on the Indian moon moth (Actias selene) pictured above. They look like tiny pink moons at different phases.

These wing spots are a feature not just of moon moths, but of the entire Saturniidae family they belong to. Saturniid moths are named after the way that some species’ wing spots look like little ringed planets.

Arachnid : Spiders

Animals - Arthropods - Chelicerates - Arachnids- Spiders - Typical Spiders - Entelegyne Spiders -Crab & Running Crab Spiders - Crab Spiders - Subfamily Thomisinae - Tribe Thomisini - Flower Crab Spiders

Caught in the act by Vidhya Swaminathan, this Masked Crab Spider (Thomisus labefactus) is the main protagonist in "the drama of everyday life in flowers".

Observation @vidswami

lead identifier @sagarika_chen

Location : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Observed on: 29th July 2023

Vidhya shares nature stories on instagram vidswami

Why are they called Crab Spiders ?

The genus Thomisus of Crab Spider includes species that vary widely in their ecology, with some that are ambush predators that feed on insects visiting flowers. Like several other genera in the family Thomisidae, they are sometimes referred to as flower crab spiders, from their crab-like motion and their way of holding their front legs, reminiscent of a crab spreading its claws as a threat.

Many species are brightly coloured, usually matching the color of the flower in which they are waiting in ambush. Not all species are flower-dwelling, but among those that are, at least some species can change their colour over a period of some days to match the flower colour
(Source : Wikipedia)

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Monsoon Beauty Talks : Perceiving Plants: Ways to look at a Living Landscape

Join us this Saturday, 19th August 2023, for an India's Nature - Monsoon Beauty Talks 2023!

Soham Kacker, plant ecologist, and research scholar at Ashoka University, will take us on a journey through the world of plants in his talk "Perceiving Plants: Ways to Look at a Living Landscape."

About the Speaker :

Soham Kacker is passionate about plants and has apprenticed at the Auroville Botanical Gardens and the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. Based in New Delhi, he is currently a research scholar at Ashoka University, focusing on plant ecology and conservation, particularly in the Western Himalayas.

Soham shares beautiful insights of plants, flowers and life on his very active Instagram handle sohamkacker

Event Details :

• Date: Saturday, 19th August, 2023
• Time: 7:00 PM IST
• Join on Zoom : https://tinyurl.com/MonsoonTalks23
• Meeting ID: 864 7628 8717
• Passcode: 618087
• Waiting Room - Enabled

(Note this Zoom Link is the permanent link for all Monsoon beauty 2023 Talks, running till 10th Sept 2023)

About the talk :

• Duration: Approximately one hour with time for Q&A
• Language: English
• Suitable for all experience levels
• Q&A session at the end

About India's Nature : Monsoon Beauty 2023

Monsoon Beauty is an annual community science program that encourages people to observe and document biodiversity during the Indian monsoon season. The program offers opportunities to participate in biodiversity walks, learn from experts, and contribute to conservation efforts.

Monsoon Beauty is organized by India's Nature - A Community Science Initiative - that aims to inspire community scientists, nature enthusiasts, and experienced naturalists, especially those from rural India. India's Nature focuses on mentoring and providing support for people from less privileged backgrounds.

For More information about the Zoom talk, or India's Nature contact via

• Whatsapp : +91 70372 45201
• Email : indias.nature01@gmail.com

Latest highlights & updates from the Monsoon Beauty 2023 are documented on :

• Instagram
• and on Inaturalist Journals
• India's Nature is also on Telegram