Common name : The richmond birdwing Scientific name : Ornithoptera richmondia Family : Papilionnidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : The Richmond birdwing is the second smallest species of birdwing butterfly. An extremely strong flyer, the richmond birdwing flies high in the rainforest canopy. The males are known to chase after the females during courtship, which […]
Once Sinbad, the young sailor, was sailing on a merchant ship. The ship stopped at a small beautifulisland in the middle of the sea. The sailors decided to spend the night there. The next day, Sinbad explored the island. After a while, he felt tired and fell asleep. When he woke up, the ship had
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Common name : Mexican red rump Scientific name : Brachypelma vagans Family : Theraphosidae Native to : Mexico Interesting fact : Due to the prominent red hair on its abdomen this spider has been named the ‘red rump tarantula’. This tarantula can grow up to 5 inches in legspan. The male is smaller and thinner
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.
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,
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 : 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,