Metallic Green Ground Beetle

This Metallic Green Ground Beetle (Harpalus affinis) is a species of beetle in the family Carabidae (ground beetle), Subfamily Harpalinae and Tribe Harpalini. It has a body length of up to 12 mm. The adult beetle is shiny metallic green and that's why it's commonly known as "Metallic Green Ground Beetle". The adult beetle feeds on seeds, while the larva is a predator of small soil invertebrates.

Metallic Green Ground Beetle-Harpalus affinis

Dew Drops

Dew Drops Pictures

European Earwig - Forficula auricularia

The European Earwig (Forficula auricularia), also known as Common Earwig is an omnivorous insect in the family Forficulidae. The name "Earwig" is the common name given to the insect order Dermaptera and comes from the rumor that these insects burrowed into the brains of humans through the ears. Earwigs are nocturnal, active at night and hide during the day in cracks and crevices. Adult European earwigs are about 13-15 mm long and are dark reddish-brown in color. The head is reddish and the legs are yellow-brown in color. Adults bear a claw-like forceps at the tip of the abdomen, called cerci. The cerci are the most distinctive feature of earwigs. In the male the cerci are more curved, than in females. The cerci are used for defense, copulation and capturing prey.
I captured these images early in the morning. There was a large population of earwigs, feeding on male marijuana flowers. Not sure what they were consuming in the flowers, pollen, nectar or other flowers parts. Generally they feed on insects, plants, ripe fruit, and garbage. In below images the first two are of males and the last two are of females.

European Earwig - Forficula auricularia

Moth Larvae

Pictures of unknown moth Larvae/caterpillars from my collection, I captured in the last three years. Until now I didn't get any clue of their identification, so I decided to post them as unidentified, on the hope that someone will be able to help me. Any Identification help would be highly appreciated.

Moth Larvae

Wild Poppy

Wild Poppy Flowers

Wild Poppy Bud

Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria)

The Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria) is a medium sized (wingspan 60-70mm), leathery-winged butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies) found in Kashmir Valley, Pakistan. I shot this female yellow coster, while she was at rest under a dar (Debregeasia salicifolia) leaf for laying eggs. I observed the eggs after watching the picture on my computer, so no luck of getting a closeup of the eggs.

Yellow Coster Butterfly (Acraea issoria)

Yellow Coster Larva

Larval Host Plant Debregeasia salicifolia

Glassy Bluebottle - Graphium cloanthus

The Glassy Bluebottle (Graphium cloanthus) is a swallowtail butterfly (Family: Papilionidae) found in Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It has a wingspan of about 80 – 90 mm.

Glassy Bluebottle - Graphium cloanthus

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan

The State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 730 – 750 and latitude 330 – 360 and comprises an area of 5134 square miles (13,297 square kilometres). The topography of the area is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. Main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the South to 6325 meters in the North. According to the 1998 population census, the State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a population of 2.973, which estimated to have grown to 3.4 million in 2004. Almost 100% population is Muslim. The rural to urban ratio is 88:12. The population density is 258 persons per Sq Km. The literacy rate have increased from 55% to 60% after 1998 census. Infant mortality rate is approximately 56 per 1000 live births, where as the immunization rate for the children less than 5 years of age is more than 88%.

Azad Kashmir Pakistan

Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir

The majority of the rural population depends on forestry, livestock and agriculture for its subsistence. Average per capita income is estimated to range from 600 -5,000 US$. Un-employment rate is from 35 to 50%. In line with the national trends, indicators of social sector improvement, particularly health and population welfare have not shown much proficiency. Efforts have been made during the recent past to make up this deficiency, which will bring the fruits of development to the common man. The area under cultivation is around 166,432 hectares (almost 13% of the total area), out of which 92% of the cultivable area is rain-fed.

Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir

About 845 households have very small land-holdings between one to two acres per family. According to the agricultural census of 1990, the average farm size is only 1.2 hectares. The major crops are Maize, Wheat & Rice whereas minor crops include vegetables, grams, pulses (Red lobia) and oil-seeds. Major fruits are Apple, Pears, Apricot and Walnuts. Income through household earnings ranges between 30-40% while remaining share comes from other sources including employment and business etc. Reduced agriculture productivity has adversely affected the traditional lifestyle and average per capita income of the rural household. About 42% of the total Geographical area (0.6 million hectares approximately) is controlled by the Forest Department. The per capita standing volume and area are 400 cft and 0.2 hectares respectively. Annual wood demand is 1.65 million cubic meters and sustainable production is 0.7 million cubic meters.

 View Of A Mosque at Azad Kashmir

The Bridge Separating Kashmir from Rawalpindi

Source of information: ajk.gov.pk