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Mango stem borer

Common name: Mango stem borer

Scientific name: Batocera rufomaculata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Arthropoda
                                               Class: Insecta
                                               Order: Coleoptera
                                               Sub-order: Polyphaga
                                               Family: Cerambycidae
                                               Genus: Batocera
                                               Species: B. rufomaculata

Type of species: Indigenous (pest)

Distribution: It is a widely distributed pest. It ranges across China, Israel, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Laos, Mauritius, Malaysia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Barbados, and the Virgin Islands.

Habitat: Known to affect Ficus carica, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, and Shorea robusta. Hence, found in habitats that support these tree species, mostly tropics.

Conservation status: Least concern

Huntsman spider

Front view.

Top view.

To scale.

Orthomorpha coarctata

Two millipedes mating.

Defense mechanism

To scale.

Scientific name: Orthomorpha coarctata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Diplopoda
                                             Order: Polydesmida
                                             Family: Paradoxosomatidae
                                             Genus: Orthomorpha
                                             Species: O. coarctata

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats. One such area is semi-forested areas with high levels of humidity.
 
Conservation status: Least concern
 
Distribution: This common millipede is purported to be native to Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, due to human carelessness, it has found its way across the world (sub-tropics only).

Source: wikimedia

Eudocima homaena

Scientific name:  Eudocima homaena

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Insecta
                                             Order: Lepidoptera
                                             Family: Noctuidae
                                             Genus: Eudocima
                                             Species: E.homaena

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Found in areas with thick vegetation. Has been found to be a pest w.r.t. orange plants.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Distribution: This moth is found in the Indian subregion, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Nicobar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, and on Christmas Island.


Note: Many thanks to Nagabhushan Jyothi, a member of India Biodiversity Portal, who identified the species. 

Hulodes caranea

Scientific name: Hulodes caranea

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Insecta
                                             Order: Lepidoptera
                                             Super-family: Noctuoidea
                                             Family: Erebidae
                                             Tribe: Hulodini
                                             Genus: Hulodes
                                             Species: H. caranea

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Thick vegetation, forested areas.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Distribution: It is found from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java, Hong Kong to Queensland and New Guinea, it is also found on the Marianas and Carolines.

Note: Thanks to Nuwan Chathuranga from Indian Biodiversity Portal for identifying the moth.

Oriental Mole Cricket

Common name: Oriental mole cricket

Scientific name: Gryllotalpa orientalis

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Insecta
                                             Order: Orthoptera
                                             Sub-order: Ensifera
                                             Family: Gryllotalpidae
                                             Genus: Gryllotalpa
                                             Species: G.orientalis

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: These crickets burrow in damp soil creating a network of passages. An oriental mole cricket's natural habitat includes rich soils as well as arable land and gardens.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Sound recording: africana sp.

Distribution: The oriental mole cricket is found in Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, and Hawaii.

Source: wikipedia

Indian Owl Moth

Beautiful moth

A picture at an angle

The scale

Common name: Indian owl moth

Scientific name: Erebus macrops

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Insecta
                                             Order: Lepidoptera
                                             Super-family: Noctuoidea
                                             Family: Erebida
                                             Tribe: Erebini
                                             Genus: Erebus
                                             Species: E. macrops

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Found where there are Acacia and Entanada species, which is what they feed on.

Conservation status: Least Concern

Distribution: Found in the sub-tropical regions of Africa and Asia

Source: wikipedia

Common Tiger

Courtesy: Shiva.T

Common name: Monarch butterfly; common tiger; wanderer; black veined brown.

Scientific name: Danaus plexippus

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Insecta
                                             Order: Lepidoptera
                                             Family: Nymphalidae
                                             Genus: Danaus
                                             Species: D. plexipus

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: A very wide ranging butterfly, they migrate thousands of miles. They are present in North America and the Caribbean islands.

Habitat: Monarchs require very specific conditions to thrive, given here.

Conservation status: Species of special concern

Interesting fact: Monarchs were taken to the International Space Station and bred there.

Hersilia savignyi

Common name: Two-tailed spider

Scientific name:  Hersilia savignyi

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Arachnida
                                             Order: Araneae
                                             Family: Araneomorphae
                                             Genus: Hersiliidae
                                             Species: H.savignyi

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Mostly found living on the trunks of large trees. In this case, the spider lives on one of the cement pillars that hold the roof up.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Distribution: The spider is widely distributed, found in Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

Note: Thanks to Anubhav Agarwal of India Biodiversity Portal for For identifying it in part.

Huntsman Spider

Heteropoda venatoria on a bathroom wall.

Common name: Huntsman spider; giant crab spider; cane spider

Scientific name: Heteropoda venatoria 

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                         Phylum: Arthropoda
                                         Class: Arachnida
                                         Order: Araneae
                                         Family: Sparassidae
                                         Genus: Heteropoda
                                         Species: H. venatoria

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: It is native to the tropical regions of the world, and has been introduced to many subtropical regions.

Habitat: These spiders are common household guests, also found in other buildings such as barns and sheds. They are sensitive to cold and live outside only in warmer climates.

Conservation status: Least concern

Danger warning: These spiders can give a painful bite, though the amount of venom delivered is not dangerous.

Note: Differences between male and female spiders.

Source: hawaiinaturejournal

Crimson Marsh Glider (Male)

A male crimson marsh glider settled on a reed.

Common name: Crimson Marsh Glider

Scientific name: Trithemis aurora

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                         Phylum: Arthropoda
                                         Class: Insecta
                                         Order: Odonata
                                         Family: Libellulidae
                                         Genus: Trithemis
                                         Species: Auroro

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: Found in the biogeographic region that includes South Asia south of the Himalaya Mountains and Southeast Asia from southern China to Borneo.

Habitat: It can be sighted near small water bodies (streams, ponds, wells, etc.) and marsh areas.

Conservation status: Least concern

NOTE: The male and female crimson marsh gliders are distinctly different in appearance.

Female marsh glider:

Source: wikipedia