January 2022

Common name : Coffee berry borer Scientific name : Hypothenemus hampei Family : Curulionidae Native to : Africa Interesting fact : This tiny beetle has got its name because of the fact that it is one of the most harmful pests to the coffee berry. Not more than 2.2 mm in length, this tiny black […]

Common name : Codling moth Scientific name : Cydia pomonella Family : Tortricidae Native to : Europe Interesting fact : The caterpillar of the codling moth is infamous as a pest to apple and pear trees. 0.5 inches in length, the codling moth is a nocturnal creature. They hibernate as pupae throughout winters, and emerge as

Common name : Cockroach Scientific name : Blattaria Family : Blattodea Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Cockroaches have been around longer than humans! Their presence has been recorded to almost 354-295 million years ago. Growing to about 3.2 inches in length, the name for these bugs originated from the Spanish word ‘Cucaracha’

Common name : Clothes moth Scientific name : Tinea spp. Family : Tineidae Native to : North America Interesting fact : Since the larvae of this species feed on furs, wool, upholstery, feathers and even animal products, this moth is known as the clothes moth. With a wingspan of 1.2 cm, the clothes moths are yellowish

Common name : Clipper Scientific name : Parthenos Sylvia Family : Nymphalidae Native to : South & South-East Asia Interesting fact : Because of its distinctive flying pattern, which involves sharp rapid wing movement this butterfly is known as the ‘Clipper’. With a wingspan of 108 mm, this colourful butterfly has very consistent patterned wings.

Common name : Click beetle Scientific name : Conoderus exsul Family : Elateridae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : When it is touched, the click beetle will fall on its back and play dead. Not longer than 18 mm in length, most click beetles have a dull colouring. They are nocturnal creatures. Their

Common name : Cigarette beetle Scientific name : Lasioderma serricorne Family : Anobiidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Because of the fact that this insect is a pest to the tobacco plant primarily, it has been given the popular name–cigarette beetle. 3 mm in length, the cigarette beetle lives only for 2-6

Common name : Chrysanthemum lace bug Scientific name : Corythucha marmorata Family : Tingidae Native to : Asia, North America Interesting fact : Due to their delicate lace-like wings, these insects are known as ‘lace bugs’. 1/8th inch in length, this bug has a creamy white colour. They reside on ornamental plants like sunflowers, tansies,

Common name : Chorus cicada Scientific name : Amphipsalta zelandica Family : Cicadidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : These insects make a specific ‘cicada’ sound, which can reach deafening proportions when they are at the peak of their population. 2 cm in length, the chorus cicada has a wing-span of 6 cm. Among

Common name : Cheese mite Scientific name : Tyrolichus casei Family : Acaridae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : These mites are used on cheeses like Milbenkase to improve the taste and texture of the cheese! Only 0.7 mm in length, these tiny bugs are famous for thedistinctive taste they lend to various varieties

Common name : Cattle tick Scientific name : Rhipicephalus microplus Family : Ixodidae Native to : Asia, parts of Australia and Madagascar, Caribbean, South and Central America and Mexico Interesting fact : Apart from infesting cattle, the cattle tick is also known to infest sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes, llamas and deer. The cattle tick stays

Common name : Caterpillar of bamboo moth Scientific name : Artona martini efetov Family : Zygaenidae Native to : South-East Asia, Japan, Taiwan, China and Vietnam Interesting fact : Due to its diet which consists of bamboo plant, especially the ornamental kind, this bug is known as the ‘bamboo moth’. The caterpillar of the bamboo

Common name : Varied carpet beetle Scientific name : Anthrenus verbasci Family : Dermestidae Native to : Europe, North Africa, Nearctic Ecozone, East Palearctic Ecozone Interesting fact : Due to its weird appearance, the larvae of the carpet beetle are known as the woolly bears! 3.5 mm in length, the carpet beetle has a spherical

Common name : Cooktown birdwing Scientific name : Ornithoptera euphorion Family : Papilionidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : This butterfly has undergone a genetic mutation where the female was pale, and the male was a bright golden green. Up to 150 mm in wingspan, the cairns birdwing is a brightly coloured butterfly, with