Butterflies of Mulund

आज सोमवारी...विनामुल्य ZOOM Online कार्यक्रम 'विज्ञान तरंग'
आपल्या डोळ्यांना न दिसणाऱ्या गोष्टीही निसर्गात असतात. त्यातीलच हे सूक्ष्मजीव. आणि हे सूक्ष्मजीव जर कोणत्याही परिसंस्थेत नसतील तर ती परिसंस्था परिपूर्ण होऊ शकत नाही आणि सुरूही राहू शकत नाही. इतकं महत्वाचं काम हे सूक्ष्मजीव करत असतात. सूक्ष्मजीवांचे अदृश्य जग, त्यांचे फायदे-तोटे आणि मानवी जीवनातील तसेच निसर्गातील त्यांचे महत्त्व जाणून घेण्यासाठी विज्ञान तरंग -सूक्ष्मजीव (आपले अदृश्य मित्र आणि शत्रू) हा कार्यक्रम नक्की पहा.
दिनांक: 8 जून 2026
विषय: सूक्ष्मजीव (आपले अदृश्य मित्र आणि शत्रू)
सादरकर्ते : साक्षी सावंत

सहभागी होण्यासाठी खालील ID व Passcode ची वापर करावा.
ZOOM Meeting ID : 842 4723 7475 Passcode : 732290

🎉 Facebook recognized our page as a consistent post creator this week!

End of Summer and new cycle of Common Jay (Graphium doson)
Family: Papilionidae

Common jay butterflies love the humid and sunny weather and yesterday we noted fresh caterpillars on our False Ashoka plant (Polyalthia longifolia). Over the last five years we have hundred+ observations of them on iNaturalist, seen their life cycle and observed their puddling behavior closely 📸📝

It is such delight to see them coming back each year to lay eggs and collect nectar 🦋❤

Adult photograph from April 2026, Caterpillars from 26th May 2026.

Mumbai, India

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognising me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among my fans!

An evening visitor - Yellow Peach Moth

Here's a Yellow Peach Moth (Conogethes punctiferalis) also known as the Castor Capsule Borer, from the family Crambidae photographed today in Mumbai. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Australia, Conogethes punctiferalis is a highly adaptable, polyphagous species known to affect more than 65 economically important crops. Despite its significance in agriculture, it is also a fascinating example of the incredible moth diversity found around us in urban environments.

Interestingly, this moth was last documented here in December 2024, highlighting the importance of continuous biodiversity observation and documentation. 📸🦋

🔍 Identification features:
• Bright straw-yellow colouration
• Numerous tiny black spots across the wings and body
• Wingspan of about 18–24 mm
• Slender resting posture typical of many crambid moths

Regular moth observations help us:
🌱 Track seasonal appearances and species activity
📖 Build long-term biodiversity records
🔬 Understand ecological and agricultural interactions
🌃 Appreciate the hidden nocturnal life thriving in our cities

As we gear up for National Moth Week 2026, stay connected for more moth highlights, identification posts, citizen science opportunities, and observation events!

Follow and join us in exploring the fascinating biodiversity of Mumbai. 🌌✨

Photo: Yellow Peach Moth (Conogethes punctiferalis) — Family Crambidae
📷 © Gaurav S. Soman | 24 May 2026

“Little Red Riding Hood” of the palms 🌴❤️

Hidden on a coconut leaf this morning was the tiny crimson caterpillar of the Palm Bob (Family Hesperiidae)

Unlike the fairy-tale character walking through the woods, this little red wanderer stays safely hidden inside a shelter woven by itself from the coconut leaflet. Using silk and careful cuts along the leaf, it folds and stitches a neat camouflage hideout, disappearing in plain sight among the greens of the palm.

Its bright red body is striking when exposed, but once tucked beneath the folded leaf, the “little red rider” becomes almost invisible to predators.