Nizhal Tree walk @ Kotturpuram Tree park (Focus: Insects)
Insects are very important for growth (and reproduction) of trees. So, next time, when you want to kill an insect – don’t! Leave them alone and they will do their job peacefully 🙂 I went to the Nizhal Tree walk @ Kotturpuram Tree park (which they had created from scratch), and this walk had a special focus: Insects!
What you see above are actually flowers which are inside this protective layer that appears like a fruit. Little wasps go inside this through a small hole in the middle and pollinate the flowers. It seems these wasps live for a very short time – their only function is to pollinate!
These leaves belong to a tree called Purasai maram (Purasaiwalkkam in Chennai was named because that region contained this tree in abundance, but now it is there only in one Temple!), or flame of the forest, due to its bright orange flowers. Oil of the seed of this tree can treat baldness, and this tree can make a barren area fertile.
These beautiful flowers belong to a tree called sea-hibiscus as they mostly grow in coastal regions.
These insects, found below this leaf, are called shield bugs. I think, they are called so because they are used to prepare the colored paste which people in Africa apply over their body to stay protected. I guess that’s what I heard – not sure!
The holes in the above leaves have been made by beetles. Look at how they eat portions of the leaf and leave other parts in order not to destroy the leaves! Humans should learn sustainability from them 🙂
The leaves of the sand paper tree (shown above) were used to prepare sand paper (their surface was rough – I touched it) which were used by carpenters, etc. in the earlier days to smoothen a (wooden) surface.
These are the fruits of a tree called soapnut tree which can be used to wash silk/clothes. It is an organic washing agent and a commercial product using it is produced by Kyra and is available at reStore. The white insect sitting on it is a type of bug which eventually grows up to 2 inches and becomes red in color.
I know what you are thinking – this guy went for an insect walk and has posted the pictures of trees and leaves only! What to do, all the photos of the insects that I ‘captured’ are so blurred. I’ll leave you with a small video of hoverfly which flies like a helicopter (or our kambili-poochi) that I saw there –
Destination Infinity
Wow! It is beautiful. Lovely pictures.
Thank you Jas 🙂
Destination Infinity
I don’t like disturbing insects unless coming inside the home… I have experience of a beetle entered my ear bud! Lol
Interesting facts on trees and insects helping in growth and leaf designing 🙂 My mother used to add soapnuts while got to grind herbal hair wash powder Shiyarkai… the sea-hibiscuses have bloomed in my area, but they are far away to capture. Wonderful photos!
LOL @ leaf designing 🙂 Good to know you’ve seen sea hibiscus already – I was seeing that flower for the first time!
Destination Infinity
Thanks for the info and thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.
Sure, my pleasure 🙂
Destination Infinity
I loved the information you have given about insects, esp. the first one! We should have the policy of ‘live and let live’. God/nature has created all these birds and insects with some reason. They do their duty but humans are destroying everything, disturbing the environment.
The video is beautiful! I remember watching insects since I was very small! My sons also have inherited it! My husband teases us…yellaame ‘aaah’ ungalukku!
There were many cultural practices ingrained in our culture that allowed humans to peacefully coexist with insects, animals, birds, etc. But in the name of modernity, we have disregarded everything.
Destination Infinity
Quite interesting!
Yes, the walk was even more interesting and informative 🙂
Destination Infinity
lovely pictures and a lot of information toooo ..
you are making my list of visiting places longer and longer 🙂
Bikram
Yeah – that too in one city!
Destination Infinity
beautiful video
hmm… that video is the only component in this post that was not created by me 🙂
Destination Infinity
Beautiful pictures DI. Very informative post. I had no idea about some of these plants.
Me too. Many of the plants were new to me. Maybe I was introduced to some of these plants earlier, but I don’t tend to remember!
Destination Infinity
Hi Rajesh, lovely pictures. Your insect walk sounds interesting. Thanks for this informative post.
Yeah, it’s interesting to see how many insects are supported by a single tree and how they need each other!
Destination Infinity
Awesome captures 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful experience there. I wish to take part in this event for a very long time. I hope would get a chance soon . Thanks for sharing these wonderful facts ji 🙂
Yes, it is an interesting and educational experience. The people who share info know a lot about trees – so, it’s good to listen to what they say. Nizhal conducts tree walks regularly. Check their FB page or site.
Destination Infinity
Hi,
The picture of the orange flowers you have included is not that of sea hibiscus but, it is Purasu or Flame of the forest. The bright orange flowers you have mentioned in Purasu description is the one, you have shown. Purasu is also called Palash in Hindi. Please, correct this in your posting. Lovely posting on Insect and tree walk at KTP by NIzhal.