221 Amazing Bugs and Insects Encyclopedia

Common name : Tomato fruitworm moth Scientific name : Helicoverpa armigera conferta Family : Noctuidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The larvae of this moth feed on tomatoes and corn, tunnelling through the tomato into the fruit; giving it the popular name ‘tomato fruitworm moth’. While the moth is medium-sized with a wingspan of […]

Common name : Titan beetle Scientific name : Titanus giganteus Family : Cerambycidae Native to : South America Interesting fact : The titan beetle is the second largest beetle in the world. With a body length of almost 6.5 inches, the titan beetle has short curved mandibles that are known to have immense strength. The titan

Common name : Common tiger beetle Scientific name : Cicindela Family : Carabidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : These beetles are popularly known as tiger beetles because of their amazingly fast speeds. They can run as fast as 9 km per hour. Brightly coloured with metallic bodies that flash in the light,

Common name : Great tiger moth, Garden tiger moth Scientific name : Arctia caja Family : Arctiidae Native to : Europe, North and Central Asia & North America Interesting fact : The varying designs of wing patterns based on species vary, but each brightly coloured wing pattern serves as a warning to predators that this

Common name : Thrip Scientific name : Thysanoptera Family : (order) Thysanoptera Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Thrips have asymmetrical mouthparts, with the right mandible being reduced. This feature is unique to this group. From 0.5 to 14 mm in length, thrips are small insects with fringed wings. Due to their size and

Common name : Threelined hoverfly Scientific name : Helophilus seelandicus Family : Syrphidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : This insect has been popularly named so, because of the 3 black lines on the back of its head. Medium to large in length, the threelined hoverfly can sometimes be mistaken for a bee.

Common name : Termite Scientific name : Isoptera Family : (order) Blattodea Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The term ‘termites’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘Termes’ meaning wood worm or white ant. In the wild, termites are considered ecologically important. They help in nutrient recycling, habitat creation and soil formation.

Common name : Shield bug Scientific name : Pentatomidae Family : Pentatomidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The stinkbug’s family name is derived from the Greek words, penta (meaning five) and tomos (meaning section). Not more than half an inch in length, the stinkbug is usually brown or green in colour. Many of the

Common name : Stick insect Scientific name : Clitarchus hookeri Family : Phasmatidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : Amongst the various stick insects, this specific species is the most commonly found species in New Zealand. Ranging from 80-106 mm, the females in this species are larger than the males. They are usually

Common name : Crab spider Scientific name : Sidymella sp. Family : Thomisidae Native to : New Zealand, Australia and South America Interesting fact : These spiders resemble small crabs; hence, the name ‘crab spider’. With a total body length of 4-12 mm, this small spider has a squarish backside. Due to their colouring they are well

Common name : Green-clouded butterfly Scientific name : Papilio Troilus Family : Papilionidae Native to : North America Interesting fact : Unlike other butterflies, the spicebush swallowtail continues to flutter its wings even when it is feeding. A large butterfly, the wingspan of the spicebush swallowtail ranges from 3-4 inches. The butterfly is brownish colour with

Common name : Slender burnished brass Scientific name : Thysanoplusia orichalcea Family : Noctuidae Native to : Indonesia Interesting fact : Due to the shimmering metallic colour on its forewings, this insect is popularly known as the slender burnished brass. With a wingspan of 36-44 mm, the soybean looper may be popularly known such, but is

Common name : South giant darner Scientific name : Austrophlebia costalis Family : Aeshnidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : With a speed of 97 km per hour, this species of dragonflies, is considered to be one of the fastest flying species in the world. The South Giant Darner is a large species of

Common name : South African praying mantis Scientific name : Miomantis caffra Family : Mantidae Native to : South Africa Interesting fact : This species is also known to be extremely aggressive with the male being eaten after it has mated. The South African praying mantis is about 32-60 mm in length. Their diet consists of

Common name : Small tortoiseshell Scientific name : Aglais urticae Family : Nymphalidae Native to : Europe and Asia Interesting fact : Droughts have an adverse effect on this butterfly, especially since droughts affect the leaves of the Nettle plants (the host plant for the larvae). 4-6 cm in wingspan, the small tortoiseshell butterfly has