children books

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

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

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

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

Common name : Hercules Beetle Scientific name : Dynastes Hercules Family : Scarabaeidae Native to : Central America, South America and Lesser Antilles Interesting fact : This beetle has been named so because of its impressive body strength. It can lift up to 85 times its own body weight. With males at times reaching 17

Common name : Head louse Scientific name : Pediculus capitis Family : Pediculidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Small wingless insects, these bugs spend their entire life as ectoparasites of humans. About 3 mm long, the head lice are wingless and generally grey in colour. They are known to reside for their

Common name : Harvestman Scientific name : Opiliones Family : (order) Opiliones Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Even though this order looks like spiders, they are not even closely related to the arachnid species. However, they are a species that has existed on Earth for over 400 million years. The harvestman is

Common name : Gum leaf skeletoniser caterpillar Scientific name : Uraba lugens Family : Nolidae Native to : Australia, New Zealand Interesting fact : This caterpillar has been nicknamed the ‘mad hatter-pillar’ on account of its exoskeleton feature. As a moth, its wingspan is about 25-30 mm. In the caterpillar stage, this insect keeps shedding

Common name : Australian guava moth Scientific name : Coscinoptycha improbana Family : Carposinidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : Due to its affinity for the guava fruit, this insect has been given the name ‘guava moth’. The guava moth has a small wingspan, not exceeding 15 mm in length. Its diet is comprised