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Brachythemis contaminata is commonly known as Common Amber Wing, Ditch Jewel, Orange-winged Groundling or Asian Groundling. The male dragonfly of this species has a large reddish orange patch on each wing. The wing-spots are also reddish. The body is also suffused with the conspicuous reddish orange of the wings, sometimes to such an extent that the underlying longitudinal stripes are not visible. The female is duller, being brownish yellow in colour. A black series of dashes runs along the upper surface of the abdomen. This line is flanked by other, lighter lines symmetrically. Although…

Duttaphrynus melanostictus is commonly called Asian common toad, Asian Black-Spined toad, Asian toad, Black-Spectacled toad, Common Sunda toad, and Javanese toad. It is probably a complex of more than one true toad species that is widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 20 cm (8 in) long. Asian common toads breed during the monsoon, and their tadpoles are black. Young toads may be seen in large numbers after monsoon rains finish. In the full grown toads, the top of the head has several bony ridges, along the edge of the snout, in front of the eye, above the…

In this species, the redness is entire, extending from the ‘face’ and eyes to the anal appendages. Even the veins of the wings, close to the bases, are red. The bases of the hind wings have amber patches. The pterostigmata are ochreous. A black stripe runs down the centre of the ‘back’, along the top of the abdomen. Females and young males are straw-yellow versions of the males. The red is replaced everywhere by yellow. The wing patches are visible as a network of golden yellow veins. Crocothemis servilia is more commonly known as Red Hot Chili Pepper, Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Oriental Scarlet…

Rhodothemis rufa is also called Ruby Darter, Rufous Marsh Glider, Spine-legged Redbolt and Common Redbolt. This dragonfly is red throughout and has amber patches at the bases of the wings. Rhodothemis rufa can be distinguished from the other common red dragonflies by a couple of unique features: (1) A stripe of brighter red runs from the head and between the wings to the abdomen. (2) The eyes touch other at just a point. Young males and females are ochre coloured. A light stripe runs down the top of the thorax to the abdomen, and this identifies these forms immediately. 

Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)

Thelyphonida is an arachnid order comprising invertebrates commonly known as whip scorpions or vinegaroons. They are often called uropygids in the scientific community based on an alternative name for the order, Uropygi. The name "whip scorpion" refers to their resemblance to true scorpions and possession of a whiplike tail, and "vinegaroon" refers to their ability when attacked to discharge an offensive, vinegar-smelling liquid, which contains acetic acid. Whip scorpions range from 25 to 85 mm (1.0 to 3.3 in) in length, with most species having a body no longer than 30 mm (1.2 in). The…

In this species, the redness is entire, extending from the ‘face’ and eyes to the anal appendages. Even the veins of the wings, close to the bases, are red. The bases of the hind wings have amber patches. The pterostigmata are ochreous. A black stripe runs down the centre of the ‘back’, along the top of the abdomen. Females and young males are straw-yellow versions of the males. The red is replaced everywhere by yellow. The wing patches are visible as a network of golden yellow veins. Crocothemis servilia  is more commonly known as Red Hot Chili Pepper, Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Oriental…

Although termites are often called "white ants", they are not ants, and are not closely related to ants. Like ants and some bees and wasps from the separate order Hymenoptera, termites divide as "workers" and "soldiers" that are usually sterile. All colonies have fertile males called "kings" and one or more fertile females called "queens". Termites mostly feed on dead plant material and cellulose, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. Most termites construct underground colonies rather than multifunctional nests and mounds. Once a year millions of termites explode…

This dragonfly is commonly known as the Blue Ground Percher, Blue Percher or the Ground Skimmer. Older males of this species are blue, marked with black; in females the blue is replaced by yellowish green. Younger males are similar to females. The blue colouring of the older male Diplacodes trivialisis caused by pruinescence (frosted in appearance). Diplacodes trivialisis is usually found settled on bare spots in open spaces and wanders far from water. This species has also been observed to make migratory flights.

The male Paracercion malayanum is a blue-and-black damselfly. But young males of Paracercion malayanum are reported to be lighter blue compared with the older ones, and so colour may not be a reliable means of distinguishing the species. Female Paracercion malayanum are similar to the males, with the blue being mostly replaced with greenish yellow. However, the sides of the thorax and abdomen seem to be light blue, this colour showing quite clearly in good light. The common name of the species is derived from the habit of this damselfly of sitting on lily pads. This habit is indicative, but I…

Although termites are often called "white ants", they are not ants, and are not closely related to ants. Like ants and some bees and wasps from the separate order Hymenoptera, termites divide as "workers" and "soldiers" that are usually sterile. All colonies have fertile males called "kings" and one or more fertile females called "queens". Termites mostly feed on dead plant material and cellulose, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. Most termites construct underground colonies rather than multifunctional nests and mounds. Once a year millions of termites explode…

Picturewing (Rhyothemis variegata) (male)

Microhyla ornata is commonly known as the ornate narrow-mouthed frog, ornate narrow-mouthed toad or ornamented pygmy frog. This amphibian is distributed in Kashmir, Nepal, peninsular India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Frogs of the genus Microhyla are small. They can be identified by the typical arrow-shaped mark on their dorsal side. They are generally of yellowish colour with dark brown patch. This species has a small head, no teeth and no discernible tympani. This frog has a wide range and the population is known to be stable. These frogs are generally…

Ropalidia marginata is a species of paper wasp. The name "paper wasps" typically refers to members of the vespid subfamily that make nests out of paper. Ropalidia marginata is primitively eusocial.. The species employees a variety of colony founding strategies, sometimes with single founders and sometimes in groups of variable number. The queen does not use physical dominance to control workers; there is evidence of pheromones being used to suppress other female workers from overtaking queenship. The nests of most true paper wasps are characterized by having open combs with cells for brood…

This is one of several species of dragonfly in which the body or wings are predominantly red. The colour schemes of the males and females are similar: The thorax is dark, marked with broad light-coloured stripes, and the abdomen is red, with a black tip. The shape of the abdomen—it is long and uniformly thin—is sufficiently conspicuous for it to be a character that distinguishes the species. The thorax of the male gets pruinosed (frosted in appearance) with age till it gets blue in colour and the underlying stripes are invisible. There is some variability in the colour of the female—the…