Common name : Joro spider Scientific name : Nephila clavata Family : Nephilidae Native to : Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan Interesting fact : The joro spider is famous in Japan, as the legendary joroguma, which is believed to be a spider that can change its appearance into a beautiful woman in order to lure […]
Common name : Emerald cockroach wasp Scientific name : Ampulex compressa Family : Ampulicidae Native to : Tropical parts of South Asia, Africa and Pacific islands Interesting fact : The unusual metallic blue green colouring of this bug has given it the name ‘Jewel wasp’. The jewel wasp is approximately 22 mm in length. Its
Le Mont Saint-Michel is an island commune that was founded by an Irish hermit in Normandy, France around the 8th century.Le Mont Saint-Michel was used as a strategic fortification since it was discovered. The town is constructed in a manner that represents feudal society, with God and the monastery at the top, great halls, stores
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
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
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
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