YNC Agumbe trip's Journal

May 31, 2023

Full trip experience

Day 1

On the 12th of May, at around 12 noon, I reached Udupi. Paul and Aditya were still on their way. I reached udupi by 12 noon and then boarded on a bus on a journey to Guddekeri accompanied by Poorna and Samrudh. The bus ride was quite bumpy, tossing us in our seats as we went up the ghats, revealing breathtaking views along the way, at every turn. I tried to strike up conversations with my companions, but Poorna remained incredibly quiet, surpassing anyone I had ever encountered in terms of introversion. We resorted to chatting on our phones even though we were sitting next to each other. Samrudh, on the other hand, was slightly more outgoing but we lacked much to discuss. Through this silent journey, we reached Guddekeri, where Shashank Hegde, the owner of Hingara homestay, warmly greeted us. Hingara, a stunning property spanning approximately 30 acres nestled in Agumbe, was our stay for the following three days. Aditya and Paul faced bus delays, causing them to arrive late. Nevertheless, they made the most of their journey, documenting the diversity, iNatting wherever they stopped.


Images of ghats from the bus.

Once we all gathered at Hingara by 4 o'clock, we took some time to rest before going on a walk to Shashank's farm. The farm mainly consisted of areca nut plantation, but it was also filled with a plethora of wild plants and animals. The sheer abundance of greenery left me awestruck, giving a distinct Western Ghats vibe. Agumbe, right from the first day, exceeded all my expectations. We were fortunate to encounter the Indian Jumping ant, Harpegnathos saltator, which is often regarded as the epitome of cool ant species in India. Additionally, we had the incredible opportunity to spot the Farnsworth's vine snake, Ahaetulla farnsworthi, my very first sighting of a vine snake. An Endangered plant, Syzigium caryophyllatum was also very common throughout the Agumbe ghats.


Ahaetulla farnsworthi. Pic Aditya | At the areca nut plantation. Poorna and Aditya photographing a butterfly.

After sunset, at about 7 we proceeded to set up our mothing screen—a key location throughout the trip where we saw variety of insects. Although there weren't many moths, the diverse array of all other insects made our time at the screen worthwhile. With the moth screen still active, we had a delightful dinner, eagerly awaiting the arrival of more fascinating insect specimens. Subsequently, from 10 to 12 at night, we went on an exciting journey to Galginamane, the property owned by a knowledgeable field guide named Satish. Standing in the back of a pickup truck, we experienced the blissful sensation of the wind brushing against us—refreshingly cold and soothing. Galginamane proved to be a haven for herpetological wonders, as we encountered numerous endemic herpetofauna. Although the number of fireflies was not particularly high, their presence added an enchanting touch to the surroundings. In certain areas, we found small puddles of water teeming with life, including 3 -4 Bicolored frog tadpole, some fishes, and a remarkable water beetle. The highlight of the day however was the Travencore wolf snake, Lycodon travancoricus, of which Samrudh got really good photos of. Exhausted but fueled by our strong spirit, we returned to Hingara around midnight. Determined to make the most of our time, we continued our observation of insects at the moth screen until sleep inevitably overcame us.


Lycodon travancoricus. Pic Samrudh


Day 2

The next morning, on the 13th, we woke up early after a decent 4-5 hours of sleep. We leisurely explored the surroundings of Hingara, making casual observations, and then had breakfast before setting off for Jogi gundi falls. This place was truly extraordinary, a rainforest teeming with numerous rare and lesser-known species. Personally, I found this place to be incredibly enjoyable! I found several species of odonates that I had always dreamed of finding, such as Protosticta sanguinostigma, Euphaea fraseri, Hylaeothemis apicalis, and Heliogomphus cf. promelas. Additionally, we came across a few threatened species like Micrixalus kottigeharensis(CR), Protosticta sanguinostigma(VU), Dipterocarpus indicus, Dimocarpus longan(NT), and Clinotarsus curtipes(NT), among others.


Red-spot Reedtail, Protosticta sanguinostigma Pic- Samrudh | Malabar torrent Dart, Euphaea fraseri Pic- Poorna


Me, Aditya, Paul, trying to get close to Protosticta sanguinostigma.

After a good hike, we reached the waterfall, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Near the waterfall, we found several rocky pools of water, each housing intriguing species. Immersed in our observations, we failed to notice the changing weather. By 1 PM, the rain started pouring down. Unfortunately, Samrudh's camera got wet, and I accidentally dropped my phone into the water, resulting in a minor disaster. Thankfully, all our equipment survived unharmed. Once the rain subsided, we resumed our observations, venturing as deep into the densely forested area as possible. Here, Aditya and I stumbled upon what i believe was Protosticta mortoni, with its distinctive blue prothorax. An incredibly rare damselfly. However, we were unable to capture any photos as it proved to be quite elusive.

One of my biggest regrets with Jogi Gundi is that we got too immersed in observing at Jogi Gundi, that we kinda forgot to be at that place in the moment. We also regret that we got only a few hours. To anyone reading this post, if you go to Jogi Gundi, Plan a full day there. I'd highly recommend just being there, enjoying the environment and calmly observing. It will be worth the time.


Jogi Gundi falls.

Around 2 PM, we returned for lunch and some much-needed rest. The lunch on the 13th turned out to be the best meal of our trip. Hingara treated us to delicious local cuisine, allowing us to experience the traditional food of Karnataka. At this point, we were all exhausted. Myself, Aditya, Paul, and Poorna decided to retreat to our room and spent our time identifying the species we had observed. Meanwhile, Samrudh, still full of energy, continued to explore the area in and around Hingara. By 4 PM, we were rejuvenated and ready to resume our observations. We headed to Shashank's farm and made an exciting sighting of the Mycalesis junonia, the Malabar Glad-eye Gushbrown that evening, leaving all of us delighted with our find.

Later, we returned to the moth screen and encountered numerous lifers. Afterwards, we had dinner and went again to Galginamane. Here, an interesting encounter took place with a cicada, Purana tigrana. It unexpectedly landed on me, and at first, I believed it to be a mere coincidence. Once we all took pictures of it, I tried to gently place it on a nearby tree, but it continuously returned to me. It seemed to be attracted to my sweat or something of the sort. For a significant portion of our night walk, I had this cicada perched on me until it eventually flew away on its own. Though a minor event, it will forever remain etched in my memory.


Purana tigrana Pic- Me

We finally arrived back at Hingara around 12 midnight, and this time, all of us were thoroughly exhausted, opting to get some sleep. We observed the moth screen for a while, finding a few iNat first cicadellids, few of which i could ID, and others identified with the help of a leading cicadellid taxonomist, CA Virakthamath. some of these were Vittiliana reticulata, Calodia ostentus, Maiestas systenos, and Scaphoideus sculptus. Thryaksha recurvata was the coolest. both male and female were found. We also found quite a few moths and other insects this day. We all went back to our room very tired and slept pretty soon. Samrudh observed the moth screen until 3 AM tirelessly. His energy in this regard makes me quite jealous! By the time he came to the room, we were all already asleep and he was locked out of the room. He should've called any of us but just decided not to disturb and slept the night on the outside bed on the balcony.


Moth screen finds


Day 3

On the 14th, we woke up at around 6:30. I freshened up quickly and went outside to chill. Soon, everyone joined me and we started exploring around Hingara. We found a queen of a very rare ant, Meranoplus bellii, which was collected by Paul to be raised. soon breakfast was ready. Quickly ate our breakfast and ventured to a forest stream at Mandagadde.


A queen of Meranoplus bellii. Pic- @itsamantis

Walking in the sandy stream was a pleasant experience. We found a few fish and 3 odonate larvae. Unexpectedly, we also came across Pseudagrion indicum, an uncommon endemic species of odonate. Continuing downstream, the stream became rockier. Initially, we walked barefoot in the water to enjoy the sensation, but once we reached the rocks, we regretted that decision. The day was sunny, causing the large granite rocks to become scorching hot and uncomfortable for our feet. To avoid burning our feet, we sought relief by standing in the small rock pools along the stream. Here, we also observed some crabs hiding under the underwater stones. Afterwards, we proceeded further downstream and checked our feet in the leaf litter beneath the trees. Thankfully, everyone was mostly unharmed.


At Mandagadde, standing in the stream. From left- Me, Aditya, Poorna, Paul

As we continued downstream, we made an effort to stay in the shade as much as possible. I took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the location- small ponds nestled among the rocks, with a backdrop of lush forest against the backdrop of a hot, sunny day. However, words alone cannot do justice to its magnificence. During our time there, we spotted frogs, crabs, fish, and insects, including more rare species such as the Giant Clubtail, Megalogomphus hannygtoni(NT), and Gomphidia kodaguensis. We witnessed graceful flight of the Malabar tree nymph, Idea malabarica(NT), captivated me as it effortlessly glided among the dark green canopy. I could have watched it all day long.


Megalogomphus hannygtoni. Pic- Samrudh | Idea malabarica, in its slow flight. Pic- me

Unfortunately, we had to cut our time short here as Paul was leaving on the 14th and needed to catch his bus. I couldn't help but wish we had more time to explore the forested area.

Returning to Hingara for lunch, we bid farewell to Paul. Aditya was initially planning to leave with him, but he decided to stay an extra day to avoid missing out on the fun. Despite being scolded by his parents for this choice, he deemed it worth it, and we all agreed.

For the afternoon, we simply sat on the stone bench at Hingara, gazing at the trees, talking, and relaxing. Around 4 PM, we returned to the arecanut plantation. This time, Samrudh, Aditya, and Poorna focused on observing birds while I, without a camera, immersed myself in observing plants, insects, and fungi. I found several fascinating fungi that evening, while they had some exciting bird sightings. As the sun began to set, everyone shifted their attention to finding reptiles and arthropods. We stumbled upon a path that seemed worth exploring. However, after a brief climb, Aditya, Poorna, and I quickly returned due to the darkness, thorny bushes, and unstable ground. Samrudh, inexplicably barefoot, did not join us in climbing. Around 7 PM, we started our journey back to Hingara. This walk was peaceful as we briefly turned off our flashlights, allowing us to enjoy the mesmerizing sight of fireflies, the chorus of cicadas, and the cool evening breeze. Unfortunately, we didn't come across much during the night. Instead, we engaged in conversation on our way back. Around 8 PM, we arrived at the homestay where the staff had set up our moth screen. That night, I came across three queens of the super cryptic species Parvaponera darwinii and sent pictures to Paul. He regretted for not being there, but I collected the queens for him to raise. We continued observing until 9 PM, after which we had dinner. As we were all rather introverted, we hadn't spoken much until that point. During the meal, Samrudh proposed playing truth or dare. While it may seem silly, the game helped bridge the communication gap and brought us closer together. By 10 PM, we were ready to rest as it had been an exhausting day.


Day 4

15th, The final day had arrived, and a sense of sadness enveloped us all. We had formed a bond that transcended the online world, and all of us felt the desire to stay longer. On the 15th, our plan was to spend the morning at the plantation until lunchtime. We had an early breakfast around 8 AM and made our way to the farm. The pace of our observations was chill and unhurried, allowing us to savour each moment. However, the knowledge that we would soon have to depart cast a melancholic shadow over the day.

We went around the plantation, and found a few cool butterflies, like Orchid tit(Hypolycaena othona), Double-banded judy(Abisara bifasciata) etc. We also found quite a few plants. Not many species were seen this day.

At 1 PM, we reluctantly concluded our casual observations and returned, preparing for lunch. During this time, each of us was lost in our own thoughts, reminiscing about the journey we had shared. Despite the desire to linger, we had to eat quickly to catch the bus. By 2 PM, we boarded the bus, but to our disappointment, all the seats were taken, leaving us standing for the duration of the trip. The weight of our impending separation weighed heavily on us, and we found solace in cuddling together for support. After a two-hour journey, we arrived in Udupi, where I bid farewell to Aditya, Poorna and Samrudh, However I was deeply saddened to so, as can be told from the photo. I boarded another bus towards my home in Hyderabad. Throughout my way back home, i was left feeling a profound sadness as I reflected on the memories we had created.


Final day. From left- Me, Poorna, Aditya, Samrudh

These four days have etched themselves deeply my life. From the awe-inspiring encounters with nature's wonders to the cherished bonds forged with fellow homies, every second of this journey will forever be ingrained in my memory. The sheer beauty of Agumbe, the exhilaration felt finding rare species, and the tranquil nights spent observing insects on the moth screen. As I bid farewell to Agumbe on 15th, I carry with me a sense of gratitude and anticipation. Gratitude for experiencing such natural wonders, and anticipation for the day when I can embark on another expedition, creating new memories with nature and with friends. This trip shall forever hold a special place in my heart, I eagerly await the chance to have a YNC meet 2.

Trip members-
Aditya/Adi @naturalist_aditya
Paul @itsamantis
Poorna @poorna_sona
Samrudh/Sam @samrudhnandagopal
Me @odonut


Threatened taxa observed

Kottigehara Dancing Frog, Micrixalus kottigeharensis (CR)

Dipterocarpus indicus (EN)
Syzygium caryophyllatum (EN)
Indian Dot Frog, Uperodon mormoratus (EN)

Bonnet Macaque, Macaca radiata (VU)
Malabar Grey hornbil Ocyceros griseus (VU)
Red spot Reedtail, Protosticta sanguinostigma (VU)

Gray-headed Bulbul, Brachypodius priocephalus (NT)
Bicolored Frog, Clinotarsus curtipes (NT)
Longan, Dimocarpus longan (NT)
Malabar Tree Nymph, Idea malabarica (NT)
Giant Clubtail Megalogomphus hannyngtoni (NT)


iNat firsts

ANTS

Aenictus arya
Aenictus clavitibia
Aenictus peguensis
Crematogaster politula
Lepisiota fergusoni
Monomorium schurri
Pheidole phipsoni
Tetramorium keralense

CICADELLIDS

Calodia ostentus
Maiestas systenos
Monobazus sp.
Ophiuchus sp.
Parohinka longiseta
Scaphoideus sculptus
Thryaksha recurvata
Vittaliana reticulata

OTHERS

Crotonothrips sp.
Crinorrhinus crassirostris
Foenatopus achterbergi
Jansenia venus
Namyatovia sirsiensis
Norileca sp.
Trioza jambolanae
Tricentrus concolor


About YNC

the Young Naturalist's Community was made in 2020 by @odonut, @teratornis, and @naturalist_aditya with the purpose of uniting young nature enthusiasts and aspiring naturalists under the age of 21 worldwide through our iNat project. Our WhatsApp and Discord communities foster scientific discussion and allows the youth to develop knowledge in the natural sciences, and strengthen their bond with nature. Click on the blue links above or scan the QR codes below to join.

Posted on May 31, 2023 04:35 PM by odonut odonut | 1 comment | Leave a comment

Odonates of YNC Agumbe Trip 2023

In total, we were able to record 29 odonate species. The common odonates we found were Agriocnemis pieris, Orthetrum sabina, Vestalis gracilis, and V. apicalis. Unfortunately, we didn't photograph these common species much. On the very first day, we found an ode that I believe, though I'm not sure, is Esme longistyla. It was discovered in the areca nut plantation beside Hingara, our homestay.

The next day, on the 13th, we went to Jogi Gundi Falls. On our way there, we found Copera vittata and Vestalis apicalis in the leaf litter under the thick canopy. As we continued further, we discovered Protosticta sanguinostigma, a Vulnurable species and Caconeura ramburi near the stairs to the waterfall. Upon reaching the waterfall, we encountered numerous rock pools and a larger pond beneath the fall. There was also a nearby stream. This habitat proved to be interesting for many odonate species. The surrounding forest was adorned with ferns and mosses. Here, we found Euphaea fraseri, Protosticta sanguinostigma, Hylaeothemis apicalis, an unidentified Heliogomphus sp.(promelas/kalarensis), Heliocypha bisignata, a female Copera sp., and Caconeura ramburi. Although we have no pictures to confirm this, both I and @naturalist_aditya spotted a Protosticta with a bright blue prothorax, which is distinctive of Protostica mortoni. However, it flew away the moment we tried to take pictures. The most common species we observed in Jogi Gundi were Protosticta sanguinostigma and Caconeura ramburi.

On the 14th, we visited a forest stream at Mandagadde. While inspecting the stream, we came across a mature male of Pseudagrion indicum, three dragonfly larvae, and one exuvia. I'm not very skilled at larval identifications, so take these identifications with a grain of salt. The first odonate larva we found was that of Paragomphus lineatus. I believe the exuvia belongs to Ictinogomphus rapax. Both these species were found in the sandy area of the stream. Continuing downstream, we crossed a dam over the stream and ventured into the rocky section. Among the rocks, we discovered two other odonate larvae, which were very close by and looked similar. All I can say is that they belong to the Libellulidae family. Additionally, we found Heliocypha bisignata in abundance in this area.

We continued walking along the forest area beside the stream. We spotted Neurothemis tullia, Heliocypha bisignata, Orthetrum sabina, Caconeura ramburi, Vestalis apicalis, Trithemis aurora, and T. festiva. The notable findings here were Megalogomphus hannygtoni, a near-threatened species, and Gomphidia kodaguensis.

On the 15th, we revisited the areca nut plantation near Hingara. We only found common species such as Diplacodes trivialis, Orthetrum sabina, Agriocnemis pieris, etc. However, we did spot one lifer on this day, Ceriagrion cerinorubellum.

Altogether, I am happy with our results, considering that this isnt the best season for odonata. The best finds from this trip are
Protosticta sanguinostigma
Melalogomphus hannygtoni
Gomphidia kodaguensis
Pseudagrion indicum
Esme longistyla(unsure)

All these were observed together at all locations by me @samrudhnandagopal @poorna_sona @itsamantis @naturalist_aditya

Posted on May 31, 2023 08:47 AM by odonut odonut | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Ants of YNC Agumbe Trip 2023

This post includes all the interesting ant records and findings from YNCs 3-day trip to Agumbe. We managed to record a total of 59 taxa, 54 of which were identified to species. Quite a few were inat firsts, first official state records, and regional records. The inat first species include – Aenictus arya, Aenictus clavitibia, Aenictus peguensis, Crematogaster politula, Lepisiota fergusoni, Monomorium schurri, Pheidole phipsoni and Tetramorium keralense. The most diverse genus recorded was a 3-way tie between Pheidole, Camponotus and Polyrhachis with 5 species recorded each. The most common species observed varied a lot among the different locations visited, however a few species were observed commonly across several locations, these were – Pheidole phipsoni, Polyrhachis hippomanes, Aphaenogaster beccarii and Camponotus carin. Polyrhachis hippomanes which has only been officially recorded from Northeast India was seen to be extremely populous across the Agumbe region. This confirms that it is a new regional record (a previous observation by Aniruddha H D from Karnataka on inat had already hinted towards this being the case) and also a commonly observed species of the region. The true highlight of the trip was Meranoplus bellii, a gem of a species endemic only to the Western Ghats regions of India, its unique bright orange colored abdomen truly makes it a sight to behold. Other cool records include the Indian Jumping Ant, Harpegnathos saltator which is the posterchild cool and unique ant species of India, Polyrhachis gracilior, which has a pretty red and black coloration as well as Colobopsis sp, whose queens were having large scale nuptial flights at the time. They seem to somewhat resemble C. rothneyi, however the worker seemed slightly deviant from the recorded specimen of C. rothneyi. 2 other specimens of Monomorium and Tetramorium respectively also seemed to be deviant from known species in India, further investigations need to be done on those 3 in order to confirm whether or not they are species new to science.
With this, I would like to conclude the report on the ants of YNC Agumbe Trip 2023. The link to all the observations on inat is given below:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&project_id=ync-agumbe-trip&taxon_id=47336&verifiable=any

Posted on May 31, 2023 04:32 AM by itsamantis itsamantis | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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