Insects and squirrel feeding on tree sap.

A few years ago I had seen various insects feeding on the sap oozing out of a trunk of Cassia roxburghii tree. I had posted these images earlier. Such occurrences are reported by some others also on various face book groups. In a farm, near Khopoli, Maharashtra, there was this tree of Cassia roxburghii. On the trunk of this tree gum-like sap was oozing. Everyday many insects, flies/wasps/butterflies/ants were observed feeding on this sap.

Oak leaf blue

But insects alone do not feed on the sap of the trees. I had observed a squirrel scarping the bark of Albizia procera (किनई) with her sharp teeth. This was in a farm in Panvel, Maharashtra. I also saw the squirrel feeding on the dried sap, which looked like gum on the tree trunk. I had shot a video of that squirrel feeding on gum but due to my negligence, the video was deleted. But I am lucky to still have the photographs. So here are some of them. I searched internet to find if such things were reported earlier or not. And I found a link on National Geographical News titled “No Nuts, No Problem: Squirrels Harvest Maple Syrup”. The link is given below.
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0218_050218_squirrels.html

Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia)

Rhizomes of this plant, which belongs to Haladi Family (Zingiberaceae) are used in medicines and cosmetics. They are also known as Black Zedoary, काली हलदी, काळी हळद. Rhizomes are modified stems which grow underground. They are not roots. Along with Rhizomes, these plants also produce some root tubers, which I believe do not have any known uses. When cut, the core of rhizome has bluish tinge, which quite often is very dark and looks blackish; hence the common names - काली हलदी, काळी हळद. Propagation of this plant is done by division of rhizomes.

I have planted Kali Haladi in a pot in my balcony also. On internet prices of these rhizomes are shown from Rs.10000/- to Rs.8000/- per kg. Amazon offers one plant at Rs.1499/-. Images of this Turmeric are from a farm, where we had grown it.