Common name : Red admiral Scientific name : Vanessa atalanta Family : Nymphalidae Native to : Asia, temperate Europe & North America Interesting fact : The males in this species are territorial and can be found in the same area day after day. 45-50 mm of wingspan, the red admiral is a beautiful colourful butterfly. […]
The Brandenburg Gate was built in Berlin, Germany, between 1788-1791. The Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical triumphal arch, which has witnessed significant damage first in World War-II and in the post-war partition of Germany. However, it was restored and returned to its former glory in 2002. Till date it stands as a reminder of Germany’s
Common name : Hoverfly, Rat-tailed maggot (larva), Dronefly (adult) Scientific name : Eristalis tenax Family : Syrphidae Native to : Europe Interesting fact : The larvae of the hoverfly or dronefly, are known as rat-tailed maggots because of their affinity for sewers, drainage ditches, manure piles, etc. The hoverfly has a 15 mm wingspan,
Common name : Rajah brooke’s birdwing butterfly Scientific name : Trogonoptera brookiana Family : Papilionidae Native to : Australasia, Indo-Malaya ecozone Interesting fact : Black and electric green in colour, the pattern on its wings is extremely unique to this butterfly alone. With a wingspan of 15-17 cm, this butterfly is a protected species.
Common name : Rainbow shield bug Scientific name : Calidea dregii Family : Scutelleridae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The colouring of the rainbow shield bug varies depending on the way in which the light falls on its body and is reflected. 14 mm in length, this bug has a beautiful iridescent
The Bran Castle was built in the 14th century between the borders of Transylvania and Wallachia, Romania. The Bran fortress (castle) was built for strategic and economic reasons, including control of important entry routes into Transylvania. After Transylvania had become a part of Greater Romania, the fortress was offered to Queen Maria of Romania. This
Common name : Question mark butterfly Scientific name : Polygonia interrogationis Family : Nymphalidae Native to : North America Interesting fact : Due to a unique pattern on the underside of its hind wings, which resemble a ‘?’ this butterfly is popularly known as the ‘Question mark butterfly’. With a wingspan of 4.5-7.5 cm, the question
Common name : Puriri moth Scientific name : Aenetus virescens Family : Hepialidae Native to : North Island, New Zealand Interesting fact : The largest moth found in New Zealand, the puriri moth has a wingspan of 150 mm. As mentioned, the puriri moth has a wingspan of 150 mm, and is green with brown
Common name : Jumping plant louse Scientific name : Psyllidae Family : Psyllidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : As a part of the sternorrhyncha group, the psyllids are considered to be one of the most primitive groups of true bugs. Only 2-3 mm in length, psyllids are plant-eating insects that are terrestrial
The Urquhart Castle was built between the 13th and the 16th century near Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland. The Urquhart Castle played an important role in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century. One of the largest castles in Scotland, the Urquhart Castle is known for its unique location on the
The Abraj Al-Bait Towers were built in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between 2004-2012. Also known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, the complex comprises a hotel, 5-storey shopping mall, and a parking garage. At 601 metres in height, it is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in the world, and has the world’s largest clock face
Once, there was a carpenter, Geppetto. He made beautiful wooden puppets but he was very lonely. One day, Geppetto made a little boy puppet. He also sewed nice clothes for the puppet. Geppetto wished for the boy to be a real one. A Fairy heard his wish and waved her magic wand. To his surprise,
Common name : False scorpion Scientific name: Pseudoscorpionida Family : Pseudoscorpionida Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The oldest fossil of the pseudoscorpion is said to date back to the Devonian era, 380 million years ago. About 2-8 mm in length, the pseudoscorpians are tiny and inoffensive to humans. Their diet is comprised
The Burj Al-Arab, meaning Tower of the Arabs, was built in Dubai, U. A. E., between 1994-1999. A hotel, the Burj Al-Arab, is the third tallest hotel in the world, and is built on an artificial island connected to the mainland only by a private bridge. The total height of the hotel is 210 metres.
Common name : Plume moth Scientific name: Pterophoridae Family : Pterophoridae Native to : Oceans worldwide Interesting fact : This insect is named such because of its wings, which have the appearance of a bird’s ‘plume’. With a wingspan of 6-50 mm, unlike other moths and butterflies, the plume moths are tiny and have ‘T’