DN SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009 FLOWERS AND PETS The beauty of Compiled by Damayanthi Hewamanna Heliconia eliconia is a genus small true flowers peeping of about 100 to 200 out from the bracts. The H species of flower- growth habit of heliconias ing plants native to the is similar to Canna, Stre- tropical Americas and the litzia, and bananas, to Pacific Ocean islands west which they are related. to Indonesia. Common Heliconias are grown for names for the genus include the florist’s trade and as lobster-claws, wild plan- landscape plants. The flow- tains or false bird-of-par- er of sittacorum (Parrot adise. Heliconia) is especially dis- The last term refers to tinctive, its greenish-yellow their close similarity to the flowers with black spots bird-of-paradise flowers and red bracts reminding of (Strelitzia). Collectively, the bright plumage of par- these plants are also simply rots. referred to as heliconias. It Several cultivars and is the sole genus of the fam- hybrids have been selected ily Heliconiaceae, but was for garden planting, includ- formerly included in the ing: family Musaceae. H. psittacorum × H. The APG system of 1998, spathocircinata, both and its successor, the APG species of South America, II system of 2003, confirms mainly Brazil the Heliconiaceae as dis- H. × rauliniana = H. tinct and places them in the marginata (Venezuela) × H. order Zingiberales, in the bihai (Brazil) commelinid clade of mono- H. chartacea cv. cots. Heliconia vellerigera Heliconias are an impor- The leaves of these plants tant food source for forest are 15-300 cm long, oblong, Kingdom : Plantae humming birds, especially growing opposite one the hermits (Phathornithi- another on non-woody peti- Division : Magnoliophyta nae), some of which - such oles often longer than the (unranked) : Monocots as the Rufous-breasted Her- leaf, often forming large mit (Glaucis hirsute), also (unranked) : Commelinids clumps with age. Their use the plant for nesting. flowers are produced on Order : Zingiberales The Honduran White Bat long, erect or drooping pan- Family : Heliconiaceae (Ectophylla alba) also lives icles, and consist of bright- in tents it makes from heli- ly colored waxy bracts, with Genus : Heliconia conia leaves. Parrot Heliconia, Heliconia psittacorum Flying Sherlock Holmes The world of

MADHUBHASHINI ing the maggot size, pulling RATHNAYAKA fly eggs out of putrefying matter and identifying all Parrots the species of insect crawl- buzz of a swarm of ing on, under and in the arrots, also known emerge altricial (helpless) flies was heard from corpse. as psittacines are young. A the gutter and the These insects can prove P birds of the roughly Parrots, along with place was full of bad odour, much more than that which 372 species in 86 genera ravens, crows, jays and so a walker just peeped means after the corpse that make up the order magpies, are some of the where the flies were com- becomes a skeleton, residue Psittaciformes, found in most intelligent birds and ing out. He was nearly in fly-pupae casings can most warm and tropical the ability of some parrot fainting after seeing a indicate whether the corpse regions. The order is sub- species to imitate human decomposing human body had high drug levels in his divded in three families: voices enhances their pop- lying in the deep gutter. system or higher than the Psittacidae (true par- ularity as pets. As so when ever a car- expected levels of lead, bar- rots), the Cacatuidae Trapping of wild par- cass of an animal or a ium or antimony, which (cockatoos) and the rots for the pet trade, as corpse of a human lies (not would reveal a death by Nestoridae. well as other hunting, in special conditions like in shooting. Parrots have a pan-trop- habitat loss and competi- a mortuary) it becomes a From 1-3 days after the ical distribution with sev- tion from invasive species, magnet to the insects Maggots feeding on a body death, the internal organs eral species inhabiting the have diminished wild pop- including flies, beetles and are decomposed by the bac- temperate Southern ulations, and parrots have cockroaches. teria and the enzymes from Hemisphere as well. The been subjected to more Today such a small insect This field, forensic entomology is the digestive tract and dead greatest diversity of par- exploitation than any is not neglected, but has body cells. But the body rots is found in South other group of birds. become ‘Sherlock Holmes’ becoming a developing brand of appears fresh. The primary- America and Australasia. Recent conservation mea- Rainbow Lorikeet uncovering murder cases. It science in today’s world. Through strike flies arrive. Then 4- Characteristic features sures to conserve the is Forensic Entomology. this, there are ways to find out time 15 days after the death the of parrots include a strong habitats of some of the bols. But some species are careers to parrots. Zoos This method uses maggots of death, measuring the maggot size, body smells swells and curved bill, an upright high-profile charismatic also economically impor- and aquariums employ and other insect informa- becomes wet and sticky stance, strong legs, and parrot species has also tant pests, particularly keepers to care for and tion to solve crimes, which pulling fly eggs out of putrefying attracting secondary - strike clawed zygodactyls feet. protected many of the less some cockatoo species in shape the behavior of par- dates back to the ancient matter and identifying all the species flies. They feel the smell Most parrots are predomi- charismatic species living Australia. rots. Some veterinarians Egypt century when the of insect crawling on, under and even away from about 1.5 nantly green, with other in the ecosystem. Some parrots have also who specialize in avian people noted that about in the corpse km. In the 11-28 days the bright colors, and some medicine will treat parrots three weeks after someone body turns into dried ten- species are multi-colored. exclusively. died, a swarm of flies would dons and after 25-28 days Cockatoo species range Parrots, along Biologists study parrot emerge from the corpse to lay down their sickles. A eggs. These eggs develop the skeleton is left. from mostly white to with ravens, populations in the wild which they believed as blow of flies was drawn by a into larvae-white flabby eat- The flies that can be seen mostly black, and have a and help to conserve wild some form of reincarnation single sickle and the owner ing machines that grow by in this stage feed on dried mobile crest of feathers on crows, jays and populations. Avicultural- and to China in the 13th confessed he was the mur- eating the corpse. The lar- skin, tendons and bone, the top of their heads. magpies, are ists breed and sell parrots century. derer. vae cannot move far and and also some beetles Most parrots are some of the for the pet trade. The documented Chinese When considering about eventually change into devour maggot. In the early monomorphic or minimal- most intelligent As tens of millions par- forensic entomology by a the flies, the adults fly far winged adults via an inter- stages of decomposition, fly ly sexually dimorphic. rots have been removed Chinese lawyer and a death and wide searching for a mediate stage called the larvae are the most aban- They are the most vari- birds and the from the wild, and parrots investigator in the 13th cen- suitable corpse. An Ameri- pupa. doned ones, and they can ably sized bird order in ability of some have been traded in tury in the medico-legal can research has revealed This field, forensic ento- reveal a lot about the terms of length. parrot species to greater numbers and for text book is this. There that, insects take 36-48 mology is becoming a corpse. Before pupate, the The most important imitate human far longer than any other near a rice field, a stabbing hours to reach a body if its developing brand of science maggot go through three components of most par- group of wild animals. had happened and a day inside is a well-maintained in today’s world. Through stages, each lasts about 20 rots’ diets are seeds, nuts, voices Many parrot species are after the incident the inves- lodging for them. When this, there are ways to find hours. So scientists study fruit, buds and other plant still threatened by this tigator ordered the workers they find one, they lay their out time of death, measur- its two breathing holes material, and a few Blue-and-yellow Macaw eat- trade as well as habitat (which has some changes species also eat insects ing a walnut held by a foot loss, predation by intro- according to the stages) to and small animals, and the duced species, and hunt- identify which stage the lories and lorikeets are Humans and parrots benefited from human ing for food or feathers. larva is. specialized to feed on nec- have a complicated rela- changes to the environ- Some parrot species are The forensic entomolo- tar from flowers, and soft tionship. Economically ment in some instances, agricultural pests, eating gists go through a process fruits. they can be beneficial to and have expanded their fruits, grains, and other like taking photos, sweep- Almost all parrots nest communities as sources of ranges where agricultural crops, but parrots can also ing net over the corpse to in tree holes (or nest income from the pet trade practices, and many par- benefit economies collect insects, checking boxes in captivity), and and are highly marketable rots have declined as well. through bird watching the clothe for insects, tak- lay white eggs from which tourism draws and sym- It is possible to devote based ecotourism. ing the soil samples from about 10cm underneath the corpse, looking for pupae under objects that are 3-17 away from the body, collect- ing beetles and identifying previous weather at the scene which they continue for 5-7 days. The scientists are still trying to access the hidden corners of this method by conducting researches. So do not belittle the flies that buzz in your home making you angry. It may be a wit- A fly ness of a murderer. Free sterilization and neutering The Animal Welfare and Lavinia from 7.00am to 12 They must NOT be with a muzzle and a chain. Protection Association will noon on a first come first given any meals or water For more information you conduct a free sterilizing serve basis. 12 hours prior to the opera- can call on 2306196 or and neutering clinic at Dogs and cats, four to six tion and must be not sick. 0776-566181 during office No.146, Kalapura Road, months and over can be Cats should be brought in a hours or 2324152 after Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor) Templars Road, Mount sterilized and neutered. box or a cage and the dogs 7.00pm. =