The Great Pyramid of Khufu was constructed between 2580-2560 BC in Egypt. The monument was built as a tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu. It stood as the tallest man-made structure in the world for at least 3,800 years with an original height of 146.5 metres. The pyramid structure is made from Tura limestone, and […]
Common name : Magpie moth Scientific name : Nyctemera annulata Family : Erebidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The larva/caterpillar of the magpie moth is known as the ‘woolly bear’ caterpillar on account of its appearance. With a wingspan of 35-45 mm, the magpie moth is diurnal, as a result of which
Once, there lived the Darling family in London. They had three children: Wendy, John and Michael. One night when the children were sleeping, a strange boy entered. He was chased away by Nana, their dog. While trying to escape, the boy ended up losing his shadow. So the next night, he was back again. Wendy
Common name : Maggot Scientific name : Calliphoridae Family : (order) Diptera Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The term maggot is not a technical term, but the maggot is the larva of the brachyceran fly such as houseflies, cheeseflies and blowflies. The larva of a fly, maggots are small whitish-greyish worms that
Common name : Tree lobster Scientific name : Dryococelus australis Family : Phasmatidae Native to : Lord Howe Island Group, Ball’s pyramid Interesting fact : Known to be the rarest insect in the world, there were only 24 insects left in the wild on the Ball’s pyramid island. They have been bred successfully in captivity
Common name : Long horn beetle Scientific name : Cerambycidae Family : Cerambycidae Native to : Hemisphere Interesting fact : These beetles are easily identifiable by their long antennas, which are most often longer than their bodies. The largest of these beetles can have a body length of 16.7 cm. Quite a few of them
Common name : Migratory locust Scientific name : Locusta migratoria Family : Acrididae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Throughout history, there have been records of locust plagues, where a huge swarm of locusts appear almost instantly with a slight change in wind direction or weather. Locusts are nothing but short-horned grasshoppers that
The Gobekli Tepe is one of the earliest structures comprising of 3 megalithic stone circles that date back to the 9th millennium BC, in southern Turkey. The Gobekli Tepe comprises Monolithic T-shaped pillars that were connected by crude walls, and a low bench around the exterior wall. These circles were deliberately buried thousands of years
Common name : Lesser grass blue Scientific name : Zizina otis Family : Lycaenidae Native to : South Asia Interesting fact : Very often mistaken for the common grass blue butterfly this specific butterfly is pale blue with a brownish outline and a silvery shine which makes it look glazed in certain lights. A wingspan
Common name : Great grey slug Scientific name : Limax maximus Family : Limacidae Native to : Europe Interesting fact : Due to their speckled appearance, these slugs are popularly known as leopard slugs. Almost 8 inches in length, the leopard slug has 4 tentacles on its head, and has leopard-like markings from its head all
Common name : Citrus tree borer Scientific name : Oemona hirta Family : Cerambycidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The lemon or citrus tree borer damages a variety of trees, specifically citrus trees. 15 to 30 mm in length, the larva is only 2 mm long, but it is the larva and
The ancient archaeological site of Baalbek is a Roman temple located in Lebanon. Its origin is shrouded in mystery. The mysterious stones of Baalbek comprise three 800-tonne stones, known as the Trilithon, that were used to build the west wall of the temple of Jupiter’s complex. It is an enigma as to how and why
Common name : Leech Scientific name : Hirudinea Family : (subclass) Hirudinea Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Leeches have been used for drawing blood from patients, and as a medical practice for a very long time. With its internal structure divided into 32 segments and body surface divided into 102 annuli, leeches
Common name : Light brown apple moth Scientific name : Epiphyas postvittana Family : Tortricidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : So as to provide a secure hiding place for itself, the caterpillar rolls and ties the leaves with a silken thread, thus giving it the name ‘leafroller’. About 10-18 mm in length, the
Common name : Large white Scientific name : Pieris brassicae Family : Pieridae Native to : Europe, North Africa, Asia and Himalayas Interesting fact : When threatened, the large white caterpillar emits a foul odour to threaten its predators. 5 to 6.5 cm of wingspan, the large white caterpillar has white wings with black tips.