C(reature)S

Meet the local fauna of the College of Science

WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY ALAB AYROSO

HAVE YOU WALKED in the Arboretum near the Institute of Biology and noticed something move? Or maybe as you stare outside the classroom window, something caught your eye? With UP Diliman’s rich vegetation and abundance of foliage, it is not a surprise that a wide variety of animals roam around the university, particularly the National Science Complex. Here are just a few of the diverse wildlife you can spot in the campus. From tiny bugs to majestic beasts, these make up the local urban biodiversity.

COPPERSMITH BARBET

Coppersmith Barbet

Megalaima haemacephala

Found in: Forest and forest edge

Noisy and conspicuous, you can’t miss it as it bears the colors of UP. This bird often perches on exposed dead limbs in the canopy. The coppersmith barbet strikes your attention due to its long series of loud single notes pok, pok, pok, which gives origin for its other name, pokpok.

BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE

Black-naped Oriole

Oriolus chinensis

Found in: Early second growth, open scrub, gardens

With its distinct yellow and black plumage, the black-naped oriole can easily be spotted on thin branches of trees around UP. It makes a loud “kiyaw” as it soars from tree to tree feeding off berries and fruits. Try to spy one resting on the edge of the CS Admin Building during the afternoon!

PHILIPPINE SCOPS OWL

Philippine Scops Owl

Otus megalotis

— Endemic to the Philippines

Found in: Forest and forest edge

One of the 16 owl species in the Philippines, the Philippine Scops Owl can be found nested in holes of trees of UP Diliman’s Arboretum. This unassuming bird lives with a diet of small mammals and insects, hunting them at night. With its grey-brown plumage, it naturally disguises itself with the forest trees, making it a challenge to spot this raptor aside from its orange red eyes.

RHINOCEROS BEETLE

Rhinoceros Beetle

Xylotrupes gideon

Found in: Leaf litter, fallen logs

This shiny dark red little creature is scattered around the Science Complex, even found in chemistry labs. Males are distinct with its two large chitinous horns, used to fight other male to eliminate their rivals during the mating period. If you see this glorious insect, be gentle, or else it will hiss at you. The hissing sound is made with their abdomens rubbing against their wing covers.

RED COTTON STAINER

Red Cotton Stainer

Dysdercus cingulatus

Found in: Cotton trees, crop plants

Bright red and found in groups, the red cotton stainer is called as such because of its tendency to leave stains on the cotton balls it feeds on. It is considered as a major crop pest as it sucks the plant sap found in the seed of cotton, making it economically unusable. Not so much here in UP — just a colorful bug to find when it’s kapok season.

BANDED BULLFROG

Banded Bullfrog

Kaloula pulchra

— Endemic to the Philippines

Found in: Trees

From the name itself, the banded bullfrog has a light brown stripe across its plump body. An introduced species, it originally came from parts of southern India and Sri Lanka through Burma, Thailand and parts of southern China, and now abundant in UP Diliman. Do not be fooled, despite its short limbs and squat body, this chunky frog is adept in climbing trees. You’ll find this obtuse amphibian hopping around or on tree branches during the rainy season.

LIME BUTTERFLY

Lime Butterfly

Papilio demoleus

Found in: Shrubbery

Lime butterflies can be found visiting anything that blooms, especially citrus plants, hence the name. Both male and female butterflies are black with yellow spots on their dorsal sides, but they can be discerned by a red spot found in the inner part of the wing of females and a crescent-shaped blue spot in males. The underside of the wings are much more colorful and brighter with more yellow spots and is paler with a cream background.

ASLAN THE CS LIB CAT

Aslan my baby

Felis catus

Found in: College of Science Library

This fat, orange cat is the prima donna of the College of Science. With her large figure, you can’t miss her sleeping at the CS Library steps. Although not the most affectionate feline, her docile nature manifests in her long naps, which average to 15 hours a day. Aslan, Garfield, Muning, or simply the CS Lib Cat, has become a local favorite, exuding charm from her siesta positions which students can’t resist to pet and capture in pictures.

References:

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 1st Edition, 2006.

Central Institute for Cotton Research (2015). Cicr Technical Bulletins, Indian Council Of Agricultural Research, India, English Language.

Lim, K.P., Lim, L.K.,1992. A Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.

Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (birdwatch.ph)