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
Common name : Horizontal orbweb weaver Scientific name : Leucauge dromedaria Family : Tetranychidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : These spiders can be easily identified by their silver colour, and black and yellow markings. About 10 mm in length, this spider creates a web, which is at an angle or horizontal to the
The Hagia Sophia, which means ‘Holy wisdom’ in Greek, was built in Constantinople (present-day Turkey) between 532 and 537.Built as a Greek orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica, the Hagia Sophia later served the purpose of an Imperial mosque, and is now converted into a museum. Its massive dome, which was the essence of Byzantine architecture, is
The Palatul Parlamentului was built in Bucharest, Romania, between 1984 and 1997. Known as the Palace of the Parliament, this building is said to be the second largest administrative building in the world. 84 metres in height and comprising of an area of 3,65,000 m2, this monument is the third most massive building in the
Common name : Common honeybee Scientific name : Apis mellifera Family : Apidae Native to : Eastern tropical Africa Interesting fact : During winters, bees form a winter cluster’ within the hive to keep the Queen bee warm. While there are many species of honeybees, the common honeybee is one of the most domesticated species. They
Once, there was a poor widow who lived with her son Jack. One day she said to Jack, “Take this cow, my dear son, and sell her in the market.” Jack took the cow and started off towards the market. On the way, he met a funny-looking oldman. The old man offered him magic beans
The City of Petra, popularly known as the Rose City, was built approximately in 312 BC in Jordan. Known as the Rose City because of the colour of the stone out of which it is carved, Petra was not discovered until 1812 by the western world. The entire city covers 264 square kilometres and is
Common name : Hide beetle Scientific name : Trogidae Family : Trogidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The hide beetle has a very different warty and bumpy outer covering which distinguishes it from other insects. Because of the various species within this family, the size of this beetle can vary anywhere from
The Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple in Japan renowned for the bronze statue of ‘Great Buddha’ built in 1252. The main hall of the Kotoku-in Temple housed the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu) and was destroyed on numerous occasions; the last of which was in the tsunami of 1498. Built in 1252, the total height of
Common name : Hibiscus beetle Scientific name : Aethina concolor Family : Nitidulidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : This beetle is a menace for the hibiscus plant. 2 mm in length, the hibiscus beetle feeds on un-blossomed buds of the hibiscus flower. However, the hibiscus plant too has a defence mechanism, wherein it
Common name : Hessian fly Scientific name : Mayetiola destructor Family : Cecidomyiidae Native to : Asia Interesting fact : A huge pest for wheat, barley and rye crops, this insect is considered to be extremely harmful. 4 mm long, the Hessian fly usually attacks the stem of the above-mentioned crops. However, if it is