Common name : Migratory locust Scientific name : Locusta migratoria Family : Acrididae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Throughout history, there have been records of locust plagues, where a huge swarm of locusts appear almost instantly with a slight change in wind direction or weather. Locusts are nothing but short-horned grasshoppers that […]
Common name : Lesser grass blue Scientific name : Zizina otis Family : Lycaenidae Native to : South Asia Interesting fact : Very often mistaken for the common grass blue butterfly this specific butterfly is pale blue with a brownish outline and a silvery shine which makes it look glazed in certain lights. A wingspan
Common name : Great grey slug Scientific name : Limax maximus Family : Limacidae Native to : Europe Interesting fact : Due to their speckled appearance, these slugs are popularly known as leopard slugs. Almost 8 inches in length, the leopard slug has 4 tentacles on its head, and has leopard-like markings from its head all
Common name : Citrus tree borer Scientific name : Oemona hirta Family : Cerambycidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The lemon or citrus tree borer damages a variety of trees, specifically citrus trees. 15 to 30 mm in length, the larva is only 2 mm long, but it is the larva and
Common name : Leech Scientific name : Hirudinea Family : (subclass) Hirudinea Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Leeches have been used for drawing blood from patients, and as a medical practice for a very long time. With its internal structure divided into 32 segments and body surface divided into 102 annuli, leeches
Common name : Light brown apple moth Scientific name : Epiphyas postvittana Family : Tortricidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : So as to provide a secure hiding place for itself, the caterpillar rolls and ties the leaves with a silken thread, thus giving it the name ‘leafroller’. About 10-18 mm in length, the
Common name : Large white Scientific name : Pieris brassicae Family : Pieridae Native to : Europe, North Africa, Asia and Himalayas Interesting fact : When threatened, the large white caterpillar emits a foul odour to threaten its predators. 5 to 6.5 cm of wingspan, the large white caterpillar has white wings with black tips.
Common name : Giant centipede Scientific name : Cormocephalus rubriceps Family : Scolopendridae Native to : Australia, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Indonesia, South-East Asia and China Interesting fact : The giant centipede uses modified claws (located on its head) to puncture quickly and deliver venom into its prey. Almost 7.5 to 16 cm in length,
Common name : Ladybug Scientific name : Coccinellidae Family : Coccinellidae Native to : North America (now worldwide distribution) Interesting fact : Its scientific name has been derived from a Latin word meaning ‘scarlet’, on account of its colouring. Hardly 8 to 18 mm in length, these small rounded bugs are not considered ‘true bugs’
Common name : Convolvulus hawk-moth Scientific name : Agrius convolvuli Family : Sphingidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The kumara moth in the caterpillar stage is quite distinguishable with its horns. This moth is large and has a wingspan of 80-105 mm. Its diet is comprised of flowers and various plants, which
Common name : Kowhai moth caterpillar Scientific name : Uresiphita polygonalis maorialis Family : Pyralidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : While the moth looks like most other moths, the caterpillar of the kowhai moth is distinctive with its speckled appearance and hair-like structures all over its body. While the moth has a
Common name : Kissing bug Scientific name : Triatominae Family : Reduviidae Native to : America, Asia, Australia and Africa Interesting fact : Also known as assassin bugs, these insects are well known for sucking the blood of vertebrate creatures. As an adult, the kissing bug has 2 sets of wings, which it acquires after
Common name : Kawakawa looper Scientific name : Cleora scriptaria Family : Geomitridae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : The caterpillar of the Kawakawa moth is known as the kawakawa looper because of the loop-like motion it moves in. While the moth has a wingspan of 40-50 mm, the looper is green and
Common name : Common garden katydid Scientific name : Caedicia simplex Family : Tettigoniidae Native to : Australia Interesting fact : These insects are named so because of the song they create when they try to attract females, ‘katydid’. Like other member in its species, the common garden katydid rubs its forewings to create
Common name : Katipo spider Scientific name : Latrodectus katipo Family : Theridiidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : Katipo spider gets its name from the local Maori language, where it means ‘night stinger’. 8 mm in length, and legs measuring up to 32 mm in length, the Katipo spider is a medium-sized