January 2022

Common name : Borneo walking stick Scientific name : Phobaeticus kirbyi Family : Phasmatidae Native to : Borneo Interesting fact : The borneo walking stick is the second longest stick insect in the world in terms of body length. With a body length of 12.9 inches, the Borneo walking stick insect resembles twigs or thin […]

Common name : Bot flies Scientific name : Oestridae Family : Oestridae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : These flies are known such specifically because their larvae live within the bodies of mammals, as parasites. Essentially parasites, these insects lay their eggs on the skin of any mammal either directly or with the

Common name : Great eggfly Scientific name : Hypolimnas bolina nerina Family : Nymphalidae Native to : West Madagascar, South & South-East Asia, South Pacific islands, Australia, Japan and New Zealand Interesting fact : The male and the female in this species look completely different. The butterfly is given the name ‘blue moon’ because of

Common name : Greenbottle Scientific name : Calliphoridae Family : Calliphoridae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : This insect got its name from an old term for meat. If the meat had eggs laid on it, it was known as ‘fly blown’. The blowfly is extremely colourful and has metallic blue green colouring.

Common name : Jumping spider Scientific name : Trite planiceps simon Family : Salticidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : These spiders hunt their prey in the dark with the help of vibratory signals rather than eyesight. Ranging from 6 to 13 mm in length, the black-headed jumping spider has elongated front legs.

Common name : Black widow Scientific name : Latrodectus mactans Family : Theridiidae Native to : Temperate climates (U.S.A., Southern Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America) Interesting fact : They are known as black widow spiders not only because of their appearance but also the queer fact that the female kills and eats the male

Common name : Black tunnelweb spider Scientific name : Porrhothele antipodiana Family : Hexathelidae Native to : New Zealand & Chatham Islands Interesting fact : This spider is said to be the inspiration behind the portrayal of the scary ‘SHELOB’ in the movie ‘Lord of the Rings’. Over 50 mm in length, including the legs,

Common name : Black cockroach Scientific name : Platyzosteria novaeseelandiae Family : Blattidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The black stink roach releases a foul-smelling defensive secretion which acts as a deterrent to nearby predators. Not more than 20 mm in length, this wingless species of cockroach is found in leaf litter,

Common name : Swallowtail butterfly Scientific name : Bhutanitis lidderdalii Family : Papilionidae Native to : Bhutan Interesting fact : With beautiful hind wings, this butterfly is a much sought-after species amongst collectors. Its habitat usually includes ridges and it flies 5000 to 9000 feet in the Indian parts, by flying over trees and hills.

Common name : Bed bug Scientific name : Cimex lectularius Family : Cimicidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Bed bugs cannot survive in temperature higher than 450 C. Neither can they survive if there is a high percentage of carbon dioxide in the air. Not more than 5 millimetres in length, these

Common name : Tunnelweb spider Scientific name : Hexathele hochstetteri Family : Hexathelidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : A large-sized spider, the tunnelweb spider is actually very shy of humans and avoids them. There isn’t even a record of this spider biting a human. This spider lives in a hole or the

Common name : Barking Spider Scientific name : Selenocosmia crassipes Family : Theraphosidae Native to : Queensland, Australia Interesting fact : The largest Australian spider, the barking spider has a total body length of 6-9 cm and legs reaching up to 22 cm. Large in size, this species has relatively fat front legs. Females have

Common name : Greater water boatman  Scientific name : Notonecta glauca Family : Notonectidae Native to : United Kingdom & Europe Interesting fact : These insects are named such on account of their movement. They paddle in the water, using their long legs and swim on their backs. The backswimmer is a freshwater insect. But

Common name : Flat huntsman spider  Scientific name : Delena cancerides Family : Sparassidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : This species has been made famous as the spider was used in the beginning of the first Spiderman movie. About 8 inches in size, this spider is light brown in colour and hairy. Unlike