Invertebrates

159 Results
Tortoise Beetles: From Tutus Made of Poop to Crystalline Lattice Coats
Photo Story
Tortoise Beetles: From Tutus Made of Poop to Crystalline Lattice Coats
Ishita Das
Tortoise beetles are a striking example of how a tiny insect packs a big bag of variable optical tricks and adaptations for predator evasion from the larval stage to adulthood. Their bejewelled looks, with myriad glittering patterns, have entranced many entomologists
By
Ishita Das
Photo Story
Nudibranchs: The Secret Colourful World of Sea Slugs
Photo Story
Nudibranchs: The Secret Colourful World of Sea Slugs
Evan Nazareth
Some sea slugs camouflage and hide from predators, others are vibrantly coloured, warning predators they may be toxic (even if they are not), and still others absorb toxins from their food and store it, ready to dish out a nasty sting when required
By
Evan Nazareth
Photo Story
Spider Wasp: Facts, Hunting, Lifecycle
Infographic
Spider Wasp: Facts, Hunting, Lifecycle
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this diverse group of solitary-hunting wasps
By
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Mantis Shrimp: Facts, Eyesight, Strike
Infographic
Mantis Shrimp: Facts, Eyesight, Strike
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this marine crustacean
By
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Mantis Shrimp: Eye-popping Predators of Reefs and Seagrass Meadows
Species
Mantis Shrimp: Eye-popping Predators of Reefs and Seagrass Meadows
Evan Nazareth
With superhero-like vision and strength and lightning-fast movements, mantis shrimp are formidable marine predators
By
Evan Nazareth
Species
Dashing Damselflies: Aerialists in an Arthropod Circus
Species
Dashing Damselflies: Aerialists in an Arthropod Circus
Smriti Mahesh
In the fascinating world of damselflies, discover elaborate courtship displays, accessory genitalia, cannibalism, and even a unique lock-and-key mechanism that prevents cross-mating among related species
By
Smriti Mahesh
Species
Himalayan Giant Honeybee: Facts, Habitat, Life Cycle
Infographic
Himalayan Giant Honeybee: Facts, Habitat, Life Cycle
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about the largest honeybees in the world
By
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Gaudy Baron: Facts, Habitat, Range
Infographic
Gaudy Baron: Facts, Habitat, Range
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this nymphalid butterfly
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Asian Giant Hornet: Facts, Nest, Lifecycle
Infographic
Asian Giant Hornet: Facts, Nest, Lifecycle
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about the largest hornet species in the world
By
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Paper Wasp: Facts, Nest, Colony
Infographic
Paper Wasp: Facts, Nest, Colony
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these master paper sculptors
By
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Blue-necked Reedtail: Facts, Habitat, Lifecycle
Infographic
Blue-necked Reedtail: Facts, Habitat, Lifecycle
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this rare damselfly
By
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Infographic
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this dragonfly from Western Ghats
By
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Bryozoa: Facts, Anatomy, Colonies
Infographic
Bryozoa: Facts, Anatomy, Colonies
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about moss animals
By
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Coming of Age Underwater: The Life Cycle of Dragonflies and Damselflies
Photo Story
Coming of Age Underwater: The Life Cycle of Dragonflies and Damselflies
Vivek Chandran A
Ripan Biswas
These breathtaking beauties spend much of their lives underwater. When they become adults, they take wing, with their agile bodies and lightning-fast reflexes set to dominate the insect world
By
Vivek Chandran A
Ripan Biswas
Photo Story
Fireflies: Bioluminescent Beauties Light Up the Trees
Species
Fireflies: Bioluminescent Beauties Light Up the Trees
Sri Ranjni Swaminathan
Will the neon lights dancing across dark landscapes continue to bedazzle us? Or are these shimmering beetles doomed to disappear from our world?
By
Sri Ranjni Swaminathan
Species
Common Picturewing: Facts, Diet, Lifecycle
Infographic
Common Picturewing: Facts, Diet, Lifecycle
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this black and yellow skimmer
By
Vivek Chandran A
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
An Ode to Sponges
Species
An Ode to Sponges
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Ancient marine animals that are food on the sea floor, sponges thrive in a variety of environments. Depending on the species, sponges can be predators, competitors, symbionts, or prey
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Species
Marine Flatworms: Facts, Social Habits, Diet
Infographic
Marine Flatworms: Facts, Social Habits, Diet
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these ocean predators that have existed for millions of years
By
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Sea Urchins: Defence Mechanism, Habitat, Threats
Infographic
Sea Urchins: Defence Mechanism, Habitat, Threats
André Morris
Diviya Mehra
Everything you need to know about these spiny marine creatures
By
André Morris
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Rock Bee: Facts, Life Span, Defence Strategies
Infographic
Rock Bee: Facts, Life Span, Defence Strategies
André Morris
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this honey producer
By
André Morris
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Fists of Fury: Predatory Prowess of the Praying Mantis
Photo Story
Fists of Fury: Predatory Prowess of the Praying Mantis
Samuel John
Master hunters with excellent camouflage, praying mantises are formidable insect predators. But in the circle of life, predators can also become prey
By
Samuel John
Photo Story
Octopus and Squid: What’s the Difference?
Explainer
Octopus and Squid: What’s the Difference?
Rachana Rao
Diviya Mehra
Here's a quick guide to what sets octopus and squid apart
By
Rachana Rao
Diviya Mehra
Explainer
Grace and Elegance: Meet the Praying Mantis
Photo Story
Grace and Elegance: Meet the Praying Mantis
Samuel John
Disarmingly bizarre, deft, and athletic, mantises come in a baffling variety of sizes, shapes, colours, and patterns
By
Samuel John
Photo Story
Common Picturewing: The Flying Floral Carpet
Species
Common Picturewing: The Flying Floral Carpet
Vivek Chandran A
Can this lovely black-and-yellow skimmer become a mascot for the conservation of insects and our planet?
By
Vivek Chandran A
Species
Chitons: Facts, Diet, Species
Infographic
Chitons: Facts, Diet, Species
Rachana Rao
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these marine molluscs that have existed for millions of years
By
Rachana Rao
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Barnacles: Facts, Lifecycle, Habitat
Infographic
Barnacles: Facts, Lifecycle, Habitat
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these small, armoured crustaceans that are found along rocky shores
By
Wenzel Pinto
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Peering Inside a Pocillopora
Photo Story
Peering Inside a Pocillopora
Farai Divan Patel
In the coral paradise of Lakshadweep, four species of this branching coral stand out on the richly coloured reef. Look inside its branches, and you’ll see a mini ecosystem of invertebrates, fish, and algae
By
Farai Divan Patel
Photo Story
Sponges: Facts, Structure, Reproduction
Infographic
Sponges: Facts, Structure, Reproduction
Diviya Mehra
Wenzel Pinto
All you need to know about these primitive animals
By
Diviya Mehra
Wenzel Pinto
Infographic
Termites: Architects, Farmers, Ecosystem Engineers (and Pests)
Species
Termites: Architects, Farmers, Ecosystem Engineers (and Pests)
Radhika Raj
Termites are both a boon and bane to our environment — and there’s a lot about the lives of these tiny creatures that are a complete mystery
By
Radhika Raj
Species
Taking the Sting Out of Paper Wasps
Photo Story
Taking the Sting Out of Paper Wasps
Purva Variyar
Wasps are master builders, artists, architects, engineers, hunters, nurturers, and pollinators, that play important ecological role in nature
By
Purva Variyar
Photo Story
Swimming Amongst Fossils: What Sponges Tell Us About the World
Species
Swimming Amongst Fossils: What Sponges Tell Us About the World
Shreya Yadav
Dhritiman Mukherjee
These ancient animals have been an essential part of healthy reef ecosystems for millions of years
By
Shreya Yadav
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Species
My Space: When Lynx Spiders Find Their Niche
Wild Vault
My Space: When Lynx Spiders Find Their Niche
Samuel John
Abhijit Dey
How do different lynx spiders share and negotiate living in the same microhabitat?
By
Samuel John
Abhijit Dey
Wild Vault
Pseudoscorpions: Invisible Hunters
Photo Story
Pseudoscorpions: Invisible Hunters
Samuel John
Dr Abhijith APC
Although minuscule in size, these tenacious carnivores have some nifty tricks up their pincers, from hitchhiking on other creatures to injecting them with venom and holding them in a death grip
By
Samuel John
Dr Abhijith APC
Photo Story
Sea Cucumbers: Illegal trade and the Blame Game
Conservation
Sea Cucumbers: Illegal trade and the Blame Game
Rahul Muralidharan
How a blanket ban on sea cucumber fishing in India has created an illicit trade and impacted the livelihoods of artisanal communities who have historically harvested them
By
Rahul Muralidharan
Conservation
Termites: Facts, Colonies, Mounds
Infographic
Termites: Facts, Colonies, Mounds
Radhika Raj
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these master decomposers
By
Radhika Raj
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Acroporid Affiliations in the Lagoons of Lakshadweep
Photo Story
Acroporid Affiliations in the Lagoons of Lakshadweep
Wenzel Pinto
Acroporid reefs are a threatened ecosystem that host a multitude of species, each part of a complex web of interactions
By
Wenzel Pinto
Photo Story
Nine Facts That Make Nudibranchs Even Cooler
Green Humour
Nine Facts That Make Nudibranchs Even Cooler
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Resident Predators: Living With Spiders
Urban Jungle
Resident Predators: Living With Spiders
Samuel John
Step into the world of five spider families found in urban Indian homes, and learn a little about their complex tactics for catching a wide diversity of prey
By
Samuel John
Urban Jungle
Honeybees and Wasps: What’s the Difference?
Explainer
Honeybees and Wasps: What’s the Difference?
Saloni Sawant
Diviya Mehra
They may belong to the same order, but there's a lot that sets them apart. Here's a quick guide
By
Saloni Sawant
Diviya Mehra
Explainer
Hermit Crab: Facts, Habitat, Diet
Infographic
Hermit Crab: Facts, Habitat, Diet
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this soft-bodied crustacean
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Wildlife Puzzle: Dung Beetle
Interactive
Wildlife Puzzle: Dung Beetle
Sustain Team
Put together this jigsaw to see dung beetles in action
By
Sustain Team
Interactive
Praying Mantis: Facts, Habitat, Diet
Infographic
Praying Mantis: Facts, Habitat, Diet
Tanvi Sawant
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this aggressive ambush hunter
By
Tanvi Sawant
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Arachnophobia: Untangling the Web of Dislike
Wild Vault
Arachnophobia: Untangling the Web of Dislike
Samuel John
Labonie Roy
Is our fear of spiders a phobia or an unfamiliarity with nature? Is getting creeped out or feeling disgust with them shaped by experience and social learning?
By
Samuel John
Labonie Roy
Wild Vault
What Makes Painted Lady Butterfly Awesome
Green Humour
What Makes Painted Lady Butterfly Awesome
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Hermit Crabs: Mobile Home in a Snail Shell
Species
Hermit Crabs: Mobile Home in a Snail Shell
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
To stay safe, these asymmetrical crabs spend their lives looking for a shell that is roomy enough to house their entire body. Finding such a home is a complex process and involves both negotiation and competition
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Species
Dragonfly: The Fastest Flying Insect
Green Humour
Dragonfly: The Fastest Flying Insect
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
The Mysterious Migration of Crimson Rose Butterflies
Wild Vault
The Mysterious Migration of Crimson Rose Butterflies
Malaka Rodrigo
A recently observed migration of a large swarm of crimson rose butterflies from India to Sri Lanka has highlighted how little is still known about this natural phenomenon
By
Malaka Rodrigo
Wild Vault
Dhruv Prajapati: India’s Very Own Spiderman
Hero
Dhruv Prajapati: India’s Very Own Spiderman
Rashi Goel
When spider taxonomist Dhruv Prajapati discovers new spider species and names them after famous Indians
By
Rashi Goel
Hero
Pincers and Claws: Crabs of the Konkan Coast
Photo Story
Pincers and Claws: Crabs of the Konkan Coast
Shreeram MV
An incredible variety of crabs, ranging from tiny pea crabs to massive mud crabs, inhabit the diverse habitats of India’s Konkan coast
By
Shreeram MV
Photo Story
Ghost Crab: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Infographic
Ghost Crab: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Mahima Jaini
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about this swift-footed nocturnal crab
By
Mahima Jaini
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
The Spider Next Door: Non-conformists in Camouflage
Wild Vault
The Spider Next Door: Non-conformists in Camouflage
Samuel John
Spiders can remain inconspicuous, blending seamlessly with the tree they occupy. Their cryptic posture and incredible stillness made their camouflage impeccable
By
Samuel John
Wild Vault
Cyana Moths: The Case of the Curious Cocoon
Photo Story
Cyana Moths: The Case of the Curious Cocoon
Pritha Dey
Ripan Biswas
The uncommon survival strategies of these lichen-feeding moths include developing a fascinating cage-like cocoon for metamorphosis
By
Pritha Dey
Ripan Biswas
Photo Story
The Host Killer: Death by Parasitoid Wasp
Photo Story
The Host Killer: Death by Parasitoid Wasp
Samuel John
These tiny wasps deposit their eggs in or on another organism. The eggs develop into hungry larvae that feed on the host from the inside, eventually consuming and killing it
By
Samuel John
Photo Story
Amazing Ants | Superheroes of the Insect World
Multimedia
Amazing Ants | Superheroes of the Insect World
Sustain Team
Ants are capable of performing some remarkable feats. We are ench-ant-ed. Are you?
By
Sustain Team
Multimedia
Butterfly Records Lead Arunachal Pradesh’s Biodiversity Sightings
Wild Vault
Butterfly Records Lead Arunachal Pradesh’s Biodiversity Sightings
Ranju Dodum
Interest in butterfly documentation has grown over the years in the state thanks partly to an increasing number of butterfly meets held annually
By
Ranju Dodum
Wild Vault
Raising Spiderlings: The Best of Jumping Spider Brood Care
Wild Vault
Raising Spiderlings: The Best of Jumping Spider Brood Care
Tanaya Rele
Samuel John
Though they don’t build nests, jumping spiders are doting parents that carefully wrap their eggs in silk and stand guard to ward off predators
By
Tanaya Rele
Samuel John
Wild Vault
Angaeus: The Resourceful Crab Spider Mother
Photo Story
Angaeus: The Resourceful Crab Spider Mother
Samuel John
Dr Abhijith APC
Following the life of an eight-legged mama spider as she guards her egg sac until her tiny hatchlings emerge into the world
By
Samuel John
Dr Abhijith APC
Photo Story
Globe Skimmer or Wandering Glider: Facts, Migration, Diet
Infographic
Globe Skimmer or Wandering Glider: Facts, Migration, Diet
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about the wandering glider or globe skimmer dragonfly, one of the highest flying insects in the world
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Wandering Glider: World Traveller and Weather Vane
Species
Wandering Glider: World Traveller and Weather Vane
M Yuvan
Globe skimmers or wandering gliders migrate vast distances across oceans and continents, riding the extremities of weather systems as they hitch from one place to another
By
M Yuvan
Species
Undertaking the World’s Longest Insect Migration
Wild Vault
Undertaking the World’s Longest Insect Migration
Neha Jain
Scientists are beginning to unravel the details of the migratory circuit of the globe skimmer dragonfly
By
Neha Jain
Wild Vault
What Butterflies Taught Me about Life on a Hot, Difficult Day
Wild Vault
What Butterflies Taught Me about Life on a Hot, Difficult Day
Neha Sinha
Hungry caterpillars can seem like a menace in a well-tended garden, but they and their winged avatars have much to teach us about the natural world and life itself
By
Neha Sinha
Wild Vault
Poltys: Ingenious Camouflage of an Orb-weaving Spider
Photo Story
Poltys: Ingenious Camouflage of an Orb-weaving Spider
Samuel John
Jithesh Pai
After nightly hunts on their orb-shaped webs, Poltys and Cyphalonotus spiders spend the day masquerading as leaves, twigs or even dried seeds
By
Samuel John
Jithesh Pai
Photo Story
Huntsman Spider: Apex Predator in a Microhabitat
Species
Huntsman Spider: Apex Predator in a Microhabitat
Samuel John
Fast, gravity-defying, and adaptable, these impressive spiders are super stalkers that take camouflage to surreal levels
By
Samuel John
Species
Epomis Beetles and their Amphibian Meals
Green Humour
Epomis Beetles and their Amphibian Meals
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
The Silver Orb Spider and its Masterpiece
Green Humour
The Silver Orb Spider and its Masterpiece
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
In Stages: Metamorphosis in the Insect World
Photo Story
In Stages: Metamorphosis in the Insect World
Samuel John
Looking at the lifecycle of insects, it’s clear that each has a unique evolutionary success story, with change the only constant
By
Samuel John
Photo Story
Moth Inventory: Expanding Our Faunal Database
News
Moth Inventory: Expanding Our Faunal Database
Roopak Goswami
Seventeen newly discovered species add to the hundreds of species of moths recorded in Arunachal Pradesh’s Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most biodiverse regions of India
By
Roopak Goswami
News
Squids: Facts, Diet, Threats
Infographic
Squids: Facts, Diet, Threats
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these fast marine invertebrates
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Sea Cucumbers: Facts, Diet, Threats
Infographic
Sea Cucumbers: Facts, Diet, Threats
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these marine invertebrates
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
A Star Has Feelings Too
Green Humour
A Star Has Feelings Too
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Globe Skimmer: The Dragonfly that Flies from India to Africa
Multimedia
Globe Skimmer: The Dragonfly that Flies from India to Africa
Sustain Team
It’s that time of the year when swarms of dragonflies known as globe skimmers undertake an intercontinental journey from India to Africa. Odonate researcher Vivek Chandran decodes the mystery
By
Sustain Team
Multimedia
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
Species
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
Rajani Mani
These wild honeybees, called Apis dorsata, have cleverly adapted to the rapid changes in their habitat and make their hives with as much ease on urban high-rise buildings as they do in forests, cliffs, and tall trees
By
Rajani Mani
Species
Sand Scavengers: Ghost Crabs in the Intertidal Zone of Chennai’s Elliot’s Beach
Species
Sand Scavengers: Ghost Crabs in the Intertidal Zone of Chennai’s Elliot’s Beach
M Yuvan
Living on the foggy cusp of land, sea, sand, and sky, ghost crabs are the beach clean-up crew, the vultures of sandy coastal ecosystems.
By
M Yuvan
Species
Defence Mode of the Indian Moon Moth
Green Humour
Defence Mode of the Indian Moon Moth
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Bollywood and the Bad Romance of Water Striders
Green Humour
Bollywood and the Bad Romance of Water Striders
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Decorator Crabs: Facts, Size, Shells
Infographic
Decorator Crabs: Facts, Size, Shells
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about one of nature's trendy dressers, the spider crab
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Got baggage? The Bagworm has Some Advice for You
Green Humour
Got baggage? The Bagworm has Some Advice for You
Rohan Chakravarty
By Rohan Chakravarty
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Assassin Bugs: Bad Boys of the Insect World
Green Humour
Assassin Bugs: Bad Boys of the Insect World
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
A Spotlight on the Scorpions of the Western Ghats
News
A Spotlight on the Scorpions of the Western Ghats
Vinaya Kurtkoti
Discovery of seven new species from the region highlights the need for further studies to conserve these arachnids
By
Vinaya Kurtkoti
News
Common Venomous Reef Creatures of the Shallow Seas
Photo Story
Common Venomous Reef Creatures of the Shallow Seas
Vardhan Patankar
Among the multitude of fish on reefs are a vast array of venomous stingers. Though most use their poison in self-defence and to hunt, they will also strike at perceived threats
By
Vardhan Patankar
Photo Story
Blue-necked Reedtail: The Mysterious Damselfly
Species
Blue-necked Reedtail: The Mysterious Damselfly
Vivek Chandran A
In a forest in Kerala, a surprise encounter with a rare odonate that is an indicator of healthy, primary forests and guardian of freshwater
By
Vivek Chandran A
Species
The Secret Life of Squids
Photo Story
The Secret Life of Squids
Mahima Jaini
As exclusive inhabitants of the marine realm, squids have evolved incredible diversity dating back to the Jurassic period. Their unique lifestyles and reproductive strategies make them a success in deep and shallow waters
By
Mahima Jaini
Photo Story
On World Bee Day, Bees have a Lesson for Humankind
Green Humour
On World Bee Day, Bees have a Lesson for Humankind
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Cleaning Symbiosis: Underwater Hygiene with the Ocean’s Favourite Cleaning Experts
Photo Story
Cleaning Symbiosis: Underwater Hygiene with the Ocean’s Favourite Cleaning Experts
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Cleaner wrasses and cleaner shrimps feed on parasites for a living. This, in turn, helps animals that want parasites removed from their bodies, and results in a healthier ecosystem
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Photo Story
Huddle Together: Social Spiders and Their Myriad Guests
Species
Huddle Together: Social Spiders and Their Myriad Guests
Maitry Jani
While most spiders are solitary and cannibalistic, this group of spiders is social, cooperative, and “tolerates” foreigners
By
Maitry Jani
Species
Some Inspiration from Sand-bubbler Crabs and Bill Waterson
Green Humour
Some Inspiration from Sand-bubbler Crabs and Bill Waterson
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
The Winged Army’s Mud Puddling Mission
Green Humour
The Winged Army’s Mud Puddling Mission
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
The Spin on the Spider’s Silk Route
Wild Vault
The Spin on the Spider’s Silk Route
Samuel John
The protein fibre produced by spiders has multiple intriguing uses beyond the building of webs
By
Samuel John
Wild Vault
Fishing Spiders: Riders of the Swamp
Photo Story
Fishing Spiders: Riders of the Swamp
Divya Candade
Ripan Biswas
A rare peek into the world of this semi-aquatic nursery web spider in a secluded seasonal swamp in Cooch Behar where it catches fish and hunts for other invertebrates in the dead of night
By
Divya Candade
Ripan Biswas
Photo Story
Stranger than Fiction: The Inscrutable Mind of the Genius Octopus
Video
Stranger than Fiction: The Inscrutable Mind of the Genius Octopus
Sustain Team
Neha Dixit
An octopus is a crafty shape shifter. In the blink of an eye, it can change colour, texture, pattern, and shape to blend in with its surroundings
By
Sustain Team
Neha Dixit
Video
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Black Dragon in Red Shorts
Species
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Black Dragon in Red Shorts
Vivek Chandran A
Endemic to the marshes and pools of the Western Ghats, this pretty dragonfly is also a good indicator of ecosystem health
By
Vivek Chandran A
Species
Octopus: Facts, Diet, Anatomy, Habitat
Infographic
Octopus: Facts, Diet, Anatomy, Habitat
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
A fact file on the highly intelligent eight-legged mollusc
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Life on the Vertical: Exploring Nature on City Walls
Urban Jungle
Life on the Vertical: Exploring Nature on City Walls
Samuel John
Vena Kapoor
The ecology of urban walls includes a variety of life, from ferns and figs, to paper wasps, stingless bees, and two-tailed spiders
By
Samuel John
Vena Kapoor
Urban Jungle
Mate and Die: Mysteries of Octopus Sex
Photo Story
Mate and Die: Mysteries of Octopus Sex
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Not only do these cephalopods breed only once in their lifetime, they die soon after. With an optic gland activating the breeding mode in females, and the male placing a rock between the pair while mating, this sea creature displays some unusual behaviours while procreating
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Photo Story
Sea Cucumbers: Silent Superheroes of the Seas
Species
Sea Cucumbers: Silent Superheroes of the Seas
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
These sea creatures are mini ecosystems unto themselves and play a crucial role in keeping oceans alive and healthy
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Species
The Butterfly Effect: Peter Smetacek and his Hill Cocoon
Hero
The Butterfly Effect: Peter Smetacek and his Hill Cocoon
Shikha Tripathi
Peter Smetacek could identify butterflies before he could read. Today, the expert has turned his home into a butterfly museum and research centre for those who wish to soak in their wonder
By
Shikha Tripathi
Hero
The Genius Octopus: Programmed to Deceive
Species
The Genius Octopus: Programmed to Deceive
Mahima Jaini
These evolutionarily advanced marine invertebrates can solve puzzles, memorise tricks, use tools, and even recognise and fool humans
By
Mahima Jaini
Species
Smart and Saucy: The Story of Wild Squids
Species
Smart and Saucy: The Story of Wild Squids
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Squids have evolved complex sensory systems. They are fast, stealthy predators of the seas, but also prey for marine mammals, seabirds, turtles, and a host of fish
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Species
Swarmageddon: How Lonely Grasshoppers Turn Into an Army of Locusts
Column
Swarmageddon: How Lonely Grasshoppers Turn Into an Army of Locusts
Janaki Lenin
Locusts and grasshoppers are two forms of the same creature, but a series of chemical reactions turn these lonely hoppers into giant swarms of invasive insects
By
Janaki Lenin
Column
A Bug’s Life: The Ant Question Hour
Wild Vault
A Bug’s Life: The Ant Question Hour
Pankaj Singh
These tiny creatures rescue their injured friends and weather storms. A peek into some of the mysteries and intriguing behaviours of the ant world
By
Pankaj Singh
Wild Vault
A Family Saga: To Bee or not to Bee
Urban Jungle
A Family Saga: To Bee or not to Bee
Anisha Jayadevan
The author and her father are fascinated by the leaf cutter bee’s nest in their garden, while her mother remains unmoved
By
Anisha Jayadevan
Urban Jungle
A Naturalist Takes the Phone to the Loo
Green Humour
A Naturalist Takes the Phone to the Loo
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Stung by the Love of a Bee Orchid
Green Humour
Stung by the Love of a Bee Orchid
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Web Design: An Orb-weaver’s Sticky Toxic Lair
Column
Web Design: An Orb-weaver’s Sticky Toxic Lair
Janaki Lenin
The orb-weaver’s delicate latticework of silken strands is treacherously loaded with a super glue spiked with toxins
By
Janaki Lenin
Column
Orb-weaving Spiders in Art and Imagination
Species
Orb-weaving Spiders in Art and Imagination
Samuel John
These tiny creatures have inspired design, art, and folklore. They manufacture all their own raw materials for knitting orb-shaped masterpieces of silk that are not just geometric and pretty but also very efficient at catching prey
By
Samuel John
Species
New Underground Ant Discovered from Goa
News
New Underground Ant Discovered from Goa
Arti Das
Measuring just 2.5 mm in length, yellow in colour and completely blind, Vaibhav’s Protanilla was first found in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
By
Arti Das
News
Monsoon Musicians: Songs of the Cicadas
Species
Monsoon Musicians: Songs of the Cicadas
Divya Candade
With about 200 different species in India the diversity of cicadas is astonishing. But there is one thing common to most of them, they emerge annually and herald the arrival of the monsoon with their music
By
Divya Candade
Species
Sea Cucumbers: Countering the Illegal Trade
Conservation
Sea Cucumbers: Countering the Illegal Trade
Kamakshi Ayyar
Umeed Mistry
Lakshadweep unveils the world’s first sea cucumber reserve, drawing attention to this overexploited marine invertebrate
By
Kamakshi Ayyar
Umeed Mistry
Conservation
Meet the New Fashion Designer in Town: The Decorator Worm
Green Humour
Meet the New Fashion Designer in Town: The Decorator Worm
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Blue Tiger Migration: Butterflies on the Move
Green Humour
Blue Tiger Migration: Butterflies on the Move
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
The Jumping Spider Eyes the Kohinoor
Green Humour
The Jumping Spider Eyes the Kohinoor
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Nest of Deception: When Spiders Mimic Weaver Ants
Species
Nest of Deception: When Spiders Mimic Weaver Ants
Samuel John
Numerous species of spiders trick weaver ants by mimicking their appearance and behaviour. They steal their identity and larvae, and sometimes even kill and eat them up
By
Samuel John
Species
Wasps Recreate the Pottery Scene from Ghost
Green Humour
Wasps Recreate the Pottery Scene from Ghost
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Butterfly Highway: Delhi’s New Flyby Zones
Urban Jungle
Butterfly Highway: Delhi’s New Flyby Zones
Radhika Raj
A team of ecologists and citizens plan to build a series of butterfly parks across Delhi
By
Radhika Raj
Urban Jungle
Project Camouflage: Styles and Survival Strategies of Decorator Crabs
Species
Project Camouflage: Styles and Survival Strategies of Decorator Crabs
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Decorator crabs assemble elaborate adornments to masquerade as different life forms and escape being attacked by predators
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Species
Canopy Colonisers: Battles of the Weaver Ant Armies
Species
Canopy Colonisers: Battles of the Weaver Ant Armies
Samuel John
Weaver ants display great aggression towards nearly any visitors to their territory, but will actively look after farms of sap-sucking insects to harvest honeydew to meet their energy needs
By
Samuel John
Species
Locust Swarms: Pests or Actors in the Ecosystem?
Species
Locust Swarms: Pests or Actors in the Ecosystem?
Dr Asad Rahmani
The locust is both agriculture pest and a food source. Normally solitary, they turn into a locust plague when conditions are just right
By
Dr Asad Rahmani
Species
Dung Beetles: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Infographic
Dung Beetles: Facts, Diet, Habitat
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
All you need to know about these soil engineers
By
Nisarg Prakash
Diviya Mehra
Infographic
Cryptic Splendour in Jewel Beetle Finery
Column
Cryptic Splendour in Jewel Beetle Finery
Janaki Lenin
Challenging normal logic, the glossy iridescence of jewel beetles is really a cloak of invisibility
By
Janaki Lenin
Column
This Earth Day, Underground Creatures Say Hello!
Green Humour
This Earth Day, Underground Creatures Say Hello!
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Weaver Ants: Leafy Kingdoms and New Empires
Species
Weaver Ants: Leafy Kingdoms and New Empires
Samuel John
A single queen ant gives rise to a new colony of ants whose workers weave leaves to make nests spanning multiple trees, to house hundreds of thousands of colony-mates
By
Samuel John
Species
Dung Beetles: The Little Things That Run the World
Species
Dung Beetles: The Little Things That Run the World
Dr Asad Rahmani
They are found nearly all over the planet and are considered engineers of the soil. But why are dung beetles so fascinated with poop?
By
Dr Asad Rahmani
Species
The Fabulous, Functional World of Sea Slugs
Species
The Fabulous, Functional World of Sea Slugs
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Flamboyant in appearance and stealthy in their ways, sea slugs protect themselves in unique ways, including repurposing the defence weapons of their prey for their own protection
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Species
Life of Corals: Witnessing an Ecosystem in Collapse
Conservation
Life of Corals: Witnessing an Ecosystem in Collapse
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
As oceans warm up the symbiotic relationship between corals and microscopic algae breaks down. Corals get bleached, making them susceptible to disease and eventually leading to the death of reef ecosystems
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Conservation
Spider Hunting Spider: Portia and the Art of Problem Solving
Species
Spider Hunting Spider: Portia and the Art of Problem Solving
Samuel John
A peanut-sized jumping spider called Portia concocts complex strategies to catch its prey
By
Samuel John
Species
Out of Favour: Prayer for a Mantis
Species
Out of Favour: Prayer for a Mantis
Sanjay Sondhi
This farmer’s aide is a voracious eater that has helped keep insect populations in check. Unfortunately, excessive spraying of chemical insecticides is destroying this natural pest controller
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Species
When Danger Lurks: Toxic Beauties in Action
Column
When Danger Lurks: Toxic Beauties in Action
Janaki Lenin
Butterflies have adopted numerous defence mechanisms to fool their predators, but how well do these tricks work?
By
Janaki Lenin
Column
On a Wing: Titli Utsavs in Uttarakhand
Wild Vault
On a Wing: Titli Utsavs in Uttarakhand
Sanjay Sondhi
Butterfly and moth festivals in Uttarakhand open up new vistas for nature lovers and encourage the appreciation and conservation of lesser-known species
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Wild Vault
Enter the Mysterious World of Camel Spiders
Species
Enter the Mysterious World of Camel Spiders
Samuel John
Neither camel nor spider, this hyperactive solifugid is a nocturnal warrior and formidable lover
By
Samuel John
Species
Masters of Disguise: Blue Oakleaf Butterfly
Wild Vault
Masters of Disguise: Blue Oakleaf Butterfly
Malavika Bhattacharya
A dried leaf fluttering on a tree trunk in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats could well be the masquerade of a brilliant blue butterfly
By
Malavika Bhattacharya
Wild Vault
Did You Know? Starfish and How They Regenerate
Wild Vault
Did You Know? Starfish and How They Regenerate
Sustain Team
The star of the ocean — which can regrow lost body parts, including organs — is best observed from a distance
By
Sustain Team
Wild Vault
Wings of Chance: The Accidental Discovery of the Apatani Glory Moth
Species
Wings of Chance: The Accidental Discovery of the Apatani Glory Moth
Samrat
In remote Pange, near the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, an “unintentional” photograph by a local sparked a series of scientific expeditions and led to the discovery of a new moth species, now named after his tribe
By
Samrat
Species
There’s a Caterpillar on Your Palm Plant, Daddy
Urban Jungle
There’s a Caterpillar on Your Palm Plant, Daddy
Anisha Jayadevan
They are many a gardener’s bane, but with a little time, caterpillars can bring great benefits to their habitat
By
Anisha Jayadevan
Urban Jungle
Life of Corals: The Origin Story
Habitat
Life of Corals: The Origin Story
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
The brilliant corals we see at the bottom of the ocean are animals, the most extraordinarily wild architects on earth, and they use stinging cells to capture their prey
By
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Habitat
Snare Traps and Night-vision Goggles: Net-casting Spider on a Hunt
Species
Snare Traps and Night-vision Goggles: Net-casting Spider on a Hunt
Samuel John
Hunter, scientist, skilled weaver, and meticulous planner — this fascinating arachnid’s nightly action plan reveals it is as intelligent as it is industrious
By
Samuel John
Species
Leap of Faith: The Magical World of Jumping Spiders
Species
Leap of Faith: The Magical World of Jumping Spiders
Samuel John
These creatures are a highly adaptable species of spider with advanced vision, and can be found from the freezing-cold high Himalayas to the arid, baking desert of Rajasthan
By
Samuel John
Species
Why Do Fireflies Glow?
Wild Vault
Why Do Fireflies Glow?
What causes the belly of the firefly to glow?
Wild Vault
The Eight-Legged Wolf with Stars in its Eyes
Species
The Eight-Legged Wolf with Stars in its Eyes
Samuel John
Spotting wolf spiders at night feels like part-arachnology and part-stargazing ⁠— their twinkling eyes shine like diamonds on the desert floor
By
Samuel John
Species
Gossamer Wings: Damselflies and Dragonflies of the Western Ghats
Photo Story
Gossamer Wings: Damselflies and Dragonflies of the Western Ghats
Sustain Team
Odonates are older than the mountains, and among the first creatures on Earth to fly. Their presence indicates a healthy and harmonious ecosystem
By
Sustain Team
Photo Story
Dune Crickets: The Underdogs of the Thar Desert
News
Dune Crickets: The Underdogs of the Thar Desert
Geetha Iyer
The Thar desert in Rajasthan is home to two of the seven known dune cricket species. The insects have adopted mechanisms and lifestyles that help them survive the arid desert climate
By
Geetha Iyer
News
Bats and Moths: Evolution and the Relationship of Predator and Prey
Wild Vault
Bats and Moths: Evolution and the Relationship of Predator and Prey
Sanjay Sondhi
Predator bats and the moths they prey on continue to evolve and adapt to suit their survival needs
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Wild Vault
The Curious Case of the Scorpion in the Night-time
Wild Vault
The Curious Case of the Scorpion in the Night-time
Sustain Team
Humans may be terrified of the scorpion’s sting, but some scientists are now fascinated by the potential its venom presents
By
Sustain Team
Wild Vault
The Spider’s Wharf: Tales of a Freshwater Fishing Enthusiast
Species
The Spider’s Wharf: Tales of a Freshwater Fishing Enthusiast
Samuel John
From stealthily waiting by the water to prey on fish and tadpoles to females consuming males as a part of courtship ritual, the world of fishing spiders is full of intrigue
By
Samuel John
Species
Shine a Light: A Saturday Night Moth Party in Delhi
Urban Jungle
Shine a Light: A Saturday Night Moth Party in Delhi
Radhika Raj
The moths of Delhi’s Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary have their own loyal fan base, and shutter-friendly paparazzi
By
Radhika Raj
Urban Jungle
The Tamilian Warrior is Now a State Butterfly
News
The Tamilian Warrior is Now a State Butterfly
Vasudevan Sridharan
Tamil Nadu becomes the fifth Indian state to declare a state butterfly to boost conservation practices
By
Vasudevan Sridharan
News
Fly on Little Wings: A Guide to India’s Butterfly Parks
Wild Vault
Fly on Little Wings: A Guide to India’s Butterfly Parks
Sanjay Sondhi
Butterfly gardens and parks are not exotic locations in unique surroundings, you can create one in your home
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Wild Vault
The Rare Hawkmoths of Ladakh
Species
The Rare Hawkmoths of Ladakh
Sanjay Sondhi
Rediscovering the sea buckthorn hawkmoth in Ladakh after a hundred years, plus a glimpse of other nocturnal hawkmoths of the region
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Species
Mosquitoes: Queen of Pests or Evolutionary Genius?
Wild Vault
Mosquitoes: Queen of Pests or Evolutionary Genius?
Sustain Team
Is the mosquito a buzzing nuisance or an example of nature’s masterful design? Or both?
By
Sustain Team
Wild Vault
There’s a New Species of Scorpion on the Block
News
There’s a New Species of Scorpion on the Block
Deepa Padmanaban
In July 2O19, after a decade of ambiguity, Hotentotta vinchu, identified by researchers in the Western Ghats, was acknowledged as a new species of scorpion
By
Deepa Padmanaban
News
Global Insect Apocalypse: Why India Must Worry
Conservation
Global Insect Apocalypse: Why India Must Worry
Geetha Iyer
According to scientists, 4O per cent of insect species are likely to become extinct globally in the coming years
By
Geetha Iyer
Conservation
Flying Solo with a Planthopper in Agumbe
Species
Flying Solo with a Planthopper in Agumbe
Sanjay Sondhi
Whether at the nymph stage when it is a funky looking white creature with powdery tentacles sprouting from the body, or in adulthood, when it looks like a butterfly, this tropical planthopper is truly fascinating
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Species
Wings of Wonder: Butterflies of Hollongapar
Species
Wings of Wonder: Butterflies of Hollongapar
Malavika Bhattacharya
A rainy night, followed by a sunny morning is sure to bring out a huge number of the 2OO species of butterflies and moths that thrive in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
By
Malavika Bhattacharya
Species
Here’s why Birds Avoid the Red-spot Jezebel Butterfly
Species
Here’s why Birds Avoid the Red-spot Jezebel Butterfly
Sanjay Sondhi
It’s not predators this gorgeous butterfly needs to worry about, but invasive species of plants that are taking over our jungles
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Species
Catch a Spot of Iridescence When a Gaudy Baron Flits By
Species
Catch a Spot of Iridescence When a Gaudy Baron Flits By
Sanjay Sondhi
Amidst the whoops and calls of apes, the beatific gaudy baron butterfly is the perfect distraction
By
Sanjay Sondhi
Species
Watch Out, She Bites
Green Humour
Watch Out, She Bites
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Breaking out the Army Fatigues
Green Humour
Breaking out the Army Fatigues
Rohan Chakravarty
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
By
Rohan Chakravarty
Green Humour
Tiny Tentacles in the Mighty Kaveri
Photo Story
Tiny Tentacles in the Mighty Kaveri
Riccha Paul
Amoghavarsha
Hovering like surreal little spaceships, diaphanous freshwater jellyfish are the secretive, benign inhabitants of the sacred river of southern India
By
Riccha Paul
Amoghavarsha
Photo Story
Coral Gardens: Artworks Under Indian Seas
Photo Story
Coral Gardens: Artworks Under Indian Seas
Nanditha Chandraprakash
Bhushan Bagadia
Reefs with their multihued coral and vibrant fish can be as dazzling and magical as a throbbing rainforest
By
Nanditha Chandraprakash
Bhushan Bagadia
Photo Story
Love and Longing of the Red Velvet Mite
Wild Vault
Love and Longing of the Red Velvet Mite
Monsoon brings high drama for the biggest member of the mite family
Wild Vault