Monsoon Madness: Critter Chronicles and Snarky Snakes

Check out some highlights from India's Nature Monsoon Beauty 2024! From the chirping cicadas to the slithering snakes and dazzling beetles, our monsoon adventures are in full swing. Dive into the beauty and wonder of India's nature. 🌧️🐍🌿✨🪲

Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake (Ahaetulla borealis)

Sub-family: Ahaetuliinae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Species: A. borealis

Observed by @anil_kumar_verma
Location :
Matheran, Maharashtra, India
Lead Identifier : @rushdhi_radix
Observed on:Jul 20, 2024

The northern Western Ghats vine snake is endemic to (you guessed it) the northern western Ghats. Ahaetulla snakes do not possess a true venom gland. However, calling them a wannabe or bootleg snake would hurt their feelings. The genus name Ahaetulla come from the Sinhalese word for "eye plucker" due to the age old belief that they would pluck out human eyes.

Anonymous 1 comments: "This is ridiculous. Why would it want my dark brown sunken eyes when it has the most beautiful gemstones placed at the sides of it's head. I think you should recheck your etymology trivia. This does not sit right with me".

Anil Kumar Verma is here on Instagram

A Typical Cicada A Colurful Cicada (Polyneura ducalis)

Sub-Family: Cicadinae
Genus: Polyneura
Species: P ducalis

Observed by @babloo_farswan
Location :
Munsyari, Uttarakhand, India
Lead Identifier : @ram_k @anubhav-agarwal
Observed on:Jul 21, 2024

Moody and emerging only when the soil temperature is just right, Polyneura is a monotypic genus (this genus contains only a single species). This could only lead to one possible conclusion: with it's flashy appearance, genus hogging tendencies and quintessential summer night cries, this little critter loves attention. The volunteers of Monsoon Beauty 2024 are currently on the lookout for the mischievous individual who decided to jazz up it's wings with neon green highlighter. Please reach out to us if you have any leads with regards to this matter.

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A pair of beautiful Tortoise & Hispine Beetles -Epistictina reicheana

Sub-family: Cassidinae
Genus: Epistictina
Species: E. reicheana

Observed by @santosh-vithura
Location : Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thiruvananthapuram, KL, IN
Lead Identifier : @rob-westerduijn
Observed on:Jul 21, 2024

Monsoon is the go-to season for hopeless romantics. Caught red-handed in this picture, Epistictina reicheana is a leaf beetle found in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The babies (grubs/beetle larvae) of this beetle feed on the leaves of yellow snake trees through their various instar cycles until they pupate. Leaf beetles are the most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Meanwhile, perched atop green foliage with a pattern mimicking the gaudy designs of your maternal aunt's home, these beetles are bound to steal the show. Their shiny antennas mimic wet shoelaces, evoking fond memories of monsoon treks in every naturalist's heart.

Santosh posts on instagram here