Common name : Kissing bug Scientific name : Triatominae Family : Reduviidae Native to : America, Asia, Australia and Africa Interesting fact : Also known as assassin bugs, these insects are well known for sucking the blood of vertebrate creatures. As an adult, the kissing bug has 2 sets of wings, which it acquires after […]
The Yonaguni monument, an underwater rock formation, was discovered in 1987 off the coast of Yonaguni, in Japan. Ever since its discovery, this monument has come under a lot of debate as to whether the ‘pyramid-like formations’ are naturally formed, or man-made making them possibly 2,000-3,000 years old. The structure comprises tall pillars, columns, a
Common name : Kawakawa looper Scientific name : Cleora scriptaria Family : Geomitridae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The caterpillar of the Kawakawa moth is known as the kawakawa looper because of the loop-like motion it moves in. While the moth has a wingspan of 40-50 mm, the looper is green and
Common name : Common garden katydid Scientific name : Caedicia simplex Family : Tettigoniidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : These insects are named so because of the song they create when they try to attract females, ‘katydid’. Like other member in its species, the common garden katydid rubs its forewings to create
Common name : Katipo spider Scientific name : Latrodectus katipo Family : Theridiidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : Katipo spider gets its name from the local Maori language, where it means ‘night stinger’. 8 mm in length, and legs measuring up to 32 mm in length, the Katipo spider is a medium-sized
Common name : Kaiser-e-hind Scientific name : Teinopalpus imperialis Family : Papilionidae Native to : Nepal, North India and Vietnam Interesting fact : The wings of this beautiful butterfly are three-dimensional with a photonic structure creating a green iridescent colour. 90-127 mm in wingspan, the Kaiser-e-hind is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the
The Georgia Guidestones is a monument made of granite that was constructed in 1980 in Georgia, United States. Often referred to as the ‘American Stonehenge’, this monument was meant to provide basic guidelines that are required to rebuild a shattered civilization. 5.87 metres in height, this structure contains 10 guidelines inscribed in 8 modern languages
Common name : Joro spider Scientific name : Nephila clavata Family : Nephilidae Native to : Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan Interesting fact : The joro spider is famous in Japan, as the legendary joroguma, which is believed to be a spider that can change its appearance into a beautiful woman in order to lure
Common name : Emerald cockroach wasp Scientific name : Ampulex compressa Family : Ampulicidae Native to : Tropical parts of South Asia, Africa and Pacific islands Interesting fact : The unusual metallic blue green colouring of this bug has given it the name ‘Jewel wasp’. The jewel wasp is approximately 22 mm in length. Its
Le Mont Saint-Michel is an island commune that was founded by an Irish hermit in Normandy, France around the 8th century.Le Mont Saint-Michel was used as a strategic fortification since it was discovered. The town is constructed in a manner that represents feudal society, with God and the monastery at the top, great halls, stores
Common name : Japanese mountain leech Scientific name : Haemadipsa zeylanica Family : Haemadipsidae Native to : Japan, regions around Pacific Oceans Interesting fact : These leeches have 5 sets of eyes! These leeches have 2 or sometimes even more number of jaws. Their diet is comprised of blood, which they suck off their host
Common name : Huhu grub Scientific name : Prionoplus reticularis Family : Cerambycidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : While the Maori word ‘huhu’ was initially meant as the name for the larval stage of this beetle, it is now associated with all four stages of the beetle’s life. 70 mm in length,
Common name : Common Housefly Scientific name : Musca domestica Family : Muscidae Native to : Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Middle East Interesting fact : This insect has been known to be around since the beginning of the age of mammals. Small in size, the entire body of the housefly is covered with tiny
Common name : House Centipede Scientific name : Scutigera smithii Family : Scutigeridae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : A scary-looking insect, the house centipede is named such because it is often found in households. Approximately 15-20 mm in length, the house centipede is extremely quick and can run fast. Precarious in nature,
Common name : Common house borer/Common furniture borer Scientific name : Anobium punctatum Family : Anobiidae Native to : Northern Europe, New Zealand, and East coast of North America Interesting fact : As adults, these beetles do not feed. Between 2.7 and 4.5 mm in length, the furniture borer is considered a major nuisance to