Kids Encyclopedia

Bedbug

Bedbug — Bedbugs (or bed bugs) are small nocturnal insects of the family Cimicidae that live by hematophagy, that is by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is the best adapted to human environments. It is found in temperate climates throughout the world and has been known since ancient times. Other …

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Bark Beetle

Bark Beetle — A bark beetle is one of approximately 220 genera with 6,000 species of beetles in the subfamily Scolytinae in the weevil family Curculionidae (traditionally the bark beetles were placed in their own family Scolytidae). The best known European species (since they transmit Dutch Elm Disease are in the type genus Scolytus. Bark beetles are so-named because the …

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Ants

Ants — Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related families of wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are a diverse group of more than 12,000 species, with a higher diversity in the tropics. They are known for their highly organized colonies and nests, which sometimes consist of millions of individuals. Individuals …

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Karl Benz

Karl Benz

Karl Benz — The first automobile was built by Karl Benz (1886; Germany). A one-cylinder internal-combustion engine propelled this three-wheeler at 13 km/h (8 mph). Karl Friedrich Benz, for whom an alternate French spelling of Carl is used occasionally, (November 25, 1844, Karlsruhe, Germany – April 4, 1929, Ladenburg, Germany) was a German engine designer and mechanical engineer, generally regarded …

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Jaguar XKE Coupe

Jaguar XKE Coupe

Jaguar XKE Coupe — The Jaguar XKE coupe (1961; England) was a high-speed, sleek sports car powered by a 6-cylinder, 265-hp, 3.8 liter engine. The Jaguar E-type or XK-E is an automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1974. The E-type revolutionised sports car design, with performance, handling and looks ahead of its time. It was priced well below competing …

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Hispano-Suiza

Hispano-Suiza

Hispano-Suiza — Hispano-Suiza open touring car (1920-30; France) had a light-alloy, 6-cylinder engine and the first servo-assisted 4-wheel brakes. Hispano-Suiza was an originally Spanish and then Spanish-French automotive and engineering firm (actually, from 1923 on, two different companies) best known for their cars, engines (including world famous aviation engines) and weapons designs in the pre-World War II period. Today they …

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL — The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe (1953; Germany) had “gullwing” doors that opened upward and a 6-cylinder, 175-hp engine with fuel injection The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a series of luxury automobiles. SL, meaning “Sport Light”, or in German, Sport Leicht, first appeared on the 1954 300SL ’Gullwing’ so named because of its upward-opening passenger doors. The Mercedes-Benz …

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