221 Amazing Bugs and Insects Encyclopedia

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

Common name : Kaiser-e-hind Scientific name : Teinopalpus imperialis Family : Papilionidae Native to : Nepal, North India and Vietnam Interesting fact : The wings of this beautiful butterfly are three-dimensional with a photonic structure creating a green iridescent colour. 90-127 mm in wingspan, the Kaiser-e-hind is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the

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

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

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