Nature Hub

From -Earth Unreal Edited by - Amal Udawatta, White currants belong to the Ribes genus, along with black currants and gooseberries. They are small, round berries that have a pale yellow or greenish-white color and a mild, sweet taste with some sourness. They are rich in vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidants. White currants are often used for baking, such as in pies and tarts, and can also be added to salads or used as a decoration for cocktails. They are also a common ingredient in European cuisine, especially in France and Germany. White currants grow best in cool climates and well-drained soil with partial shade, as they do not tolerate excessive heat or sun. They are usually planted in the fall or early spring and need regular pruning to keep their shape and fruit production. White currants are different from red currants only in the color and flavor of their fruits, which are translucent white and sweeter. Text credit: Earth Unreal Image credit: Dmitry Latyshev

  Frrom - Wikipdia  Edited by Amal Udawatta, Woolly aphids     are  sap -sucking  insects  that produce a filamentous waxy white covering which resembles cotton or wool. The adults are winged and move to new locations where they lay egg masses. The nymphs often form large cottony masses on twigs, for protection from predators. Woolly aphids occur throughout the  Northern Hemisphere . Many of the numerous species of woolly aphids have only one  host  plant species, or alternating generations on two specific hosts. They have been known to cause botanical damage and are often considered a pest. While most damage is minor, they can spread plant diseases and fungi. Some species can produce galls as well. In flight they have been described as looking like "flying mice." Other nicknames include "angel flies", “cotton fairies”, "fluff bugs", "fairy flies", "ash bugs", "snow bugs", "fluffer fairies", "poodle flies...

  From - Jungle Drajon Edited by - Amal Udawatta, Sporocarps tufted, 10-15(-25) mm total height. Sporothecae dark brown with a reddish tinge. Hypothallus silvery, shining, confluent. Stalk 1-4 mm long, shining black. Columella black, almost reaching the sporotheca apex, tapered and flexuous towards the tip. Capillitium brown and with a metallic glint, the primary branches expanded at the junctions within the net and arising at right angles to the columella, hardly branched thus only weakly supporting the surface net which usually collapses onto the columella soon after spore-dispersal, the surface net with large, rounded meshes, 20-50(-100) µm diam. Spore-mass dark reddish-brown. Spores lilac-brown, 7-9 µm diam., almost smooth with fine, pale warts. Plasmodium white or pale yellow. Distribution Widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions; Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America; Antigua, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, C...

  From - Earth Unreal Edited by Amal Udawatta, Spittle bug nymphs are tiny creatures belonging to the family Cercopidae. These froghopper nymphs are named after the frothy white liquid that envelops their bodies, which looks like a bubble bath for bugs. These bubbles act as a natural shield, providing insulation and moisture for the nymphs as they feed on plant sap and excrete excess water and sugars through their tiny hindquarters. These resilient insects can be found in various habitats, from vast grasslands to cozy gardens. They are fond of dining on a wide range of plant species, from towering trees to tiny herbs. As they mature, these spunky spittle bug nymphs undergo several molts, transforming into winged adults with elongated bodies and bulging eyes. They are known for their impressive jumping ability, which enables them to traverse long distances with ease. Spittle bug nymphs play an important role in their ecosystems. They serve as a valuable source of food for natural pr...

  By Natasha Booty BBC News, Edited by - Amal Udawatta, IMAGE SOURCE, JOHN C MITTERMEIER Image caption, It is said to be the first documented spotting since 1999 Bird lovers are celebrating after a species some feared extinct was spotted alive by scientists for the first time in 24 years. The dusky tetraka is a songbird with a distinctive yellow throat that is native to Madagascar. Three of them have been sighted in a rainforest in the island's north-east, but in an unexpected habitat. The ground-dwelling birds were in thick vegetation near a rocky river - perhaps a good spot to find grubs and insects. "If dusky tetraka always prefer areas close to rivers, this might help to explain why the species has been overlooked for so long," says ornithologist John Mittermeier from the American Bird Conservancy, who managed to take a photo of the rare bird. The sighting of the dusky tetraka comes little over a year since  it was called one of the 10 most-wanted birds on the "S...

  From - Earth  Unreal Edited by - Amal Udawatta, The Morpho butterfly (Morpho peleides) is a dazzling species of butterfly known for its iridescent blue wings. However, what many people do not know is that the eggs of the Morpho butterfly are just as intriguing as the adult butterfly. Morpho peleides lays small eggs, which are about 1-2 mm in diameter, smooth, hemispherical, and deposited on the upper surface of leaves. These eggs are light green and have a circular band of small brown spots near the top. The duration of the egg stage varies between 7 to 16 days, depending on the subspecies. Text credit: Earth Unreal Photo credit: Alex Wild (portfolio in the comments)

 From Earth Unreal Edited by - Amal Udawatta, Octopus Mother - Caribbean reef octopus guarding her eggs, found off the coast of West Palm Beach, Florida. Like all other species of octopus, this mother does not eat while she tends to her eggs, and she will die after they hatch. It is a poignant fact that the life of an octopus mother is one of selflessness and devotion, even at the cost of her own survival. After laying hundreds of eggs, she will tirelessly guard them, keeping them clean and aerated, and fending off any potential predators. During this time, she will forego eating, relying solely on the stored energy in her body to fuel her maternal duties. As the eggs develop, the mother octopus will continue to care for them, gently fanning them with her arms to ensure a steady flow of oxygen, and protecting them from any harm. Eventually, the eggs will hatch, and the tiny, vulnerable offspring will swim away into the open ocean, ready to start their own lives. The mother, having...

  Form - Earth Unreal, Edited by Amal Udawatta The Indian Mackerel, or the Striped Mackerel, also known as the Atlantic mackerel, is a species of fish that is widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This species is a fast-swimming predatory fish that belongs to the Scombridae family, which also includes tuna and bonito. It has long been a source of fascination for scientists and ocean enthusiasts alike. The highlight of this striking picture is undoubtedly the Mackerel's wide open mouth, a window into its mesmerizing inner world. The intricate maze of its twisting intestine is exposed, a testimony to the vital role it plays in the fish's survival. Striped mackerels are filter feeders, opening their cavernous mouths as they swim and sieving zooplankton from the water with their gill rakers, acting like a net. It's translucent skin provides a form of camouflage, allowing it to blend in with the s...

  From Earth Unreal Edited by Amal Udawatta, The Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) is a species of bird that is native to the forests of New Guinea. This bird is known for its unique and striking appearance, which is characterized by its long, wire-like feathers and vibrant plumage. Male Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise have black bodies with white tail feathers, while their wire-like head plumes and breast plumes are orange. The distinctive wires that extend from their tail feathers give the bird its name. During courtship displays, the male will spread its tail feathers to create a dramatic and eye-catching display, which is meant to attract a mate. In terms of habitat, the Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise prefers lowland and hill forests, where they can be found at elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 meters. This species is non-migratory and primarily feeds on fruit and insects. Despite its stunning appearance, the Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise is con...

 From Earth Unreal, Edited by Vinuri Randhula Silva, Jorunna parva, commonly referred to as the Sea bunny, is a species of dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Discodorididae. The presence of its black and white rhinophores give it the appearance of a rabbit's ears, although it is much much smaller than an actual bunny. In fact, this species is very tiny, measuring on average about 1cm long. The Sea bunny resembles even more a furry animal due to the numerous papillae - fleshy protuberances used for sensory functions - covering its body. This marine marine gastropod exist in several colorations including white, yellow and green, although the latter is more rarely seen.

 Mongabay Magazine, by  Malaka Rodrigo , Researchers describe a new bat species found in Sri Lanka and South India and name it Miniopterus phillipsi in honor of British naturalist W.W.A. Phillips. Sri Lanka is home to 31 species of bats, but researchers say there could be more given that neighboring India has 132 bat species already described. The number of identified species in the genus Miniopterus has doubled in Africa, but in Asia, M. phillipsi is the first new addition to this genus after a lapse of six decades. M. phillipsi is a small, insectivorous bat previously identified as Miniopterus fuliginosus; it inhabits caves and its population remains stable, although habitat loss may soon impact these bats. COLOMBO — During the 18th and 19th centuries when Sri Lanka was a British colony, many British naturalists studied the island’s rich biodiversity and contributed to profiling the same. Tea planter  W.W.A. Phillips  was one of them, a man who was particularly int...