Alarm set for 5am on a Sunday morning? You must definitely be an ardent outdoor person!

The distance of 50+ kms was covered along the beautiful tree lined Karimnagar Highway by car or cycle (yes! there were a few enthusiasts who cycled all the way) in time to get a refreshing cuppa and head out along the village road to observe and identify birds at the Wargal Lake

Young and old got together to enjoy the myriad colours of monsoon, admire the many creatures that show up and listen to amazing stories about flora and fauna, guided by Akbar Sherief from WWF-India.

Here are some incredible stories exchanged between passionate naturalists during the walk and over a hearty breakfast amidst bird calls.

Velvet Boochies


These velvety soft creatures bring back childhood memories; “Boochies” is a popular affectionate name referring to Red velvet mites (Trombidiidae), bright red, velvety arachnids that emerge in large numbers right after the first rains, heralding the onset of monsoon. As kids we would collect them and keep them as pets in homes made from matchboxes


Ant Mimicking Spider


🕷️ The Spider That Pretends to Be an Ant

At first glance, an ‘ant-mimicking spider’ (Myrmarachne) can easily fool you. With its slender body, narrow waist, long legs and ant-like movements, it looks remarkably similar to an ant. But there is one important difference—*it has eight legs, not six!*

Why would a spider want to look like an ant? One major reason may be *protection from predators*. Ants can bite, sting or release defensive chemicals, so many predators tend to avoid them. By resembling an ant, the spider gains protection from predators that have learned not to attack ants!

The disguise is remarkably clever; ant-mimicking spiders hold their front pair of legs above their heads, making them look like antennae and they may also move in a jerky, ant-like manner rather than walking like an ordinary spider.

Ant-mimicking spiders are a fascinating example of ‘evolution and natural selection’ - an arachnid evolving to resemble an insect. Despite this evolution, the animal is still a spider. It has eight legs, silk-producing abilities and the excellent vision characteristic of jumping spiders.

So, the next time you see an unusual “ant” moving across a leaf, count the legs before you decide what it is! You might have discovered a spider in disguise!!

The Insect That Lives for a Day


The Fascinating Life of Mayflies

Among the countless insects found in nature, few have a life story as remarkable as the mayfly. Often called the “one-day fly”, the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) is famous for its extraordinarily short adult life. Some mayflies live as flying adults for only a few hours, while others survive for a few days.

A Life Divided Between Water and Air

A mayfly begins its life as an egg, usually laid in or near freshwater. After hatching, the young insect becomes an aquatic nymph, this is by far the longest part of its life.

The nymph lives beneath the water, among rocks, vegetation, mud or gravel. It feeds, grows and sheds its skin repeatedly. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, this aquatic stage may last from several months to several years.

From Water to Wings

When the nymph has completed its development, it rises to the surface of the water and emerges as a winged insect called a subimago. After a short period, it moults one more time and becomes the sexually mature adult, known as the imago.

Why Is the Adult Life So Short?

Once a mayfly becomes an adult, its priorities change completely.

The nymph's job was to grow. The adult's job is to reproduce.

So the phrase “one-day fly” refers mainly to the short duration of the adult stage, rather than the insect's entire lifespan

The Great Mayfly Emergence

Perhaps the most spectacular event in the life of a mayfly is its emergence from water.

Mayflies often emerge in large numbers, sometimes with thousands or even millions appearing almost simultaneously. This is known as a mass emergence for predator satiation - Mayflies are an important source of food for fish, birds, frogs, bats and other animals, but when millions emerge together, predators cannot possibly eat them all.

The Strange Eyes of Male Mayflies

Some male mayflies have extraordinarily large, specialised eyes that can look almost like towers or turrets that help them detect females against the sky. When you have only a few hours or days to find a mate, being able to detect potential partners quickly becomes extremely important.

These tiny marvels are

  • A Feast for the Ecosystem &
  • A Sign of Healthy Water

Indian Red Bugs (Probergrothius sanguinolens) are completely harmless to humans (they do not bite or sting), but they use needle-like mouthparts to feed on plant seeds and sap. Their favourite plant is the Wild Almond (Sterculia foetida). It is particularly interesting to see them travelling fast even while mating


Wandering glider


Also called the Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens), this is the most widespread dragonfly species on Earth. It is found on every continent except Antarctica. Although common in sightings, this stout, yellow-orange insect is a record holder. It is famous for undertaking a multi-generational migration spanning up to 11,200 miles (18,000 km), marking one of the longest insect migrations known. Say it is travelling from India to Africa, the third generation will return to India


Nature enthusiasts admiring the biodiversity within a 11 year old Miyawaki Forest during the Independence Day Nature Walk held on Sunday 16 August at Arbor Road Estate


Photo credits:

Rekha Narendra, Rudrapati Sravani, Rishika Reddy, Yadagiri, Kirti, Akbar Sharief

Research inputs by:

S M Akbar Sharief

Senior Education Officer, WWF-India, Hyderabad Office

To experience such stories in person,

Book your forest staycation in our luxurious tents, rooms and suites

Visit www.arbor.estate OR Whatsapp 90592 22612

*Nature Escape Day Visit available for a minimum of 10 persons