tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2146185361215579158.post1066390404369573599..comments2024-03-12T16:13:09.249+08:00Comments on Crystal and Bryan in Singapore: A Guided Walk at Sungei BulohCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054463493636813905noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2146185361215579158.post-30133624849516508102012-05-02T18:07:56.330+08:002012-05-02T18:07:56.330+08:00From post: "Another plant also had unique fru...<b>From post: <i>"Another plant also had unique fruits, but I don't think they had any poisonous properties. It's kind of like a star, but I guess "starfruit" was taken."</i></b><br /><br />Your <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q25QW0WzT4U/TniZ7FEPZLI/AAAAAAAADok/RMy8J5GRufg/s1600/star_shaped_fruit.JPG" rel="nofollow">photo</a> shows the fruit of <b><i>Sonneratia caseolaris</i> (Mangrove Apple)</b>. The white furry stuff on the fruit are sap-sucking Mealy Bugs. Ripe fruits are edible raw or cooked. This tree species is locally critically- endangered in the wild, & is a host plant for fireflies.<br /><br />This <a href="http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/1034.htm" rel="nofollow">page</a> shows you how to differentiate between the 3 <i>Sonneratia</i> species in S'pore, as based on fruit morphology.<br /><br /><br /><b>From post: <i>"We also saw some insects, but unfortunately I'm no good at identifying them. I liked this bright red one though!"</i></b><br /><br />The <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4W_YJ_wqyE/TniZODmJAoI/AAAAAAAADog/ebD4AwLKeNI/s1600/red_insect.JPG" rel="nofollow">photo</a> shows the nymph of <b><i>Dysdercus simon</i> (Thespinia Firebug)</b>. The nymphs are distinguished by their bright orange-red bodies (with or w/o black markings) & their BLACK heads. The host plant is the back-mangrove <i>Thespesia populnea</i> (Portia Tree), whose seeds are a food source for these insects. This bug species is listed as locally-endangered, & reported only from Sungei Buloh, Kranji & Pulau Ubin.<br /><br />The similar-looking but more common <i>Dysdercus decussatus</i> (Cotton Stainer Bug) have RED heads instead. The bodies of the nymphs are also bright red/orange in colour. The preferred host plant is <i>Talipariti tiliaceum</i> (Sea Hibiscus), although some insects might be sighted on other plant species nearby but with similar capsular seeds.<br /><br />* <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37823682@N04/5339543086/" rel="nofollow">4 <i>Dysdercus simon</i> nymphs with lone <i>Dysdercus decussatus</i> adult</a> (Flickr - Jan 2011)<br />* <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23540772@N05/3086950372/" rel="nofollow"><i>Dysdercus simon</i> adults at Pulau Ubin</a> (Flickr - Dec 2008)<br />* <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/insecta/dysdercus.htm" rel="nofollow">Cotton Stainer Bugs: <i>Dysdercus</i> spp. </a> (WILD Factsheets - Mar 2009)Patnoreply@blogger.com