It's time to meet the largest, longest and heaviest insects on Earth. Naturally, the largest species lived in the prehistoric era, but even in modern world There are still some incredible bugs out there that will give anyone goosebumps. From the creepy giant weta to the more famous praying mantis, here is a list of the 25 largest insects in the world.
25. Protodonata or Meganisoptera
Meganisoptera is not only the largest dragonfly that has ever existed on our planet, but also the most large insect in the world. With a wingspan of up to 75 centimeters, this giant insect soared the skies from the Carboniferous era to the end of the Permian era (approximately 317 - 247 million years ago). Meganisoptera lived long before the appearance of pterosaurs, birds and bats, which means it had no equal in the sky.
24. Giant weta
Photo: Dinobass
The giant weta is a very large species of insect that lives primarily in New Zealand. An adult beetle can weigh 35 grams. Weta prefers to hide in fallen leaves and the bark of fallen trees, and rests mainly during the day. At night, the heavyweight leaves its shelter to move to other trees in search of food and more comfortable housing. Despite its impressive size, the giant weta lives only 6-9 months.
23. Lumberjack Titan
Photo: Bernard Dupont
Endemic to the tropical forests of South America, the titan lumberjack is the largest known beetle not only in the Amazon jungle, but also one of the largest large species insects in the world. Titan grows up to 16.7 centimeters in length (according to unconfirmed reports - up to 22 centimeters), and distinctive feature This giant insect has impressive claws with which it can easily grab a pencil, for example. Rumor has it that the titan lumberjack can even tear apart human flesh with their pincers. The most interesting thing is that entomologists have not yet been able to detect its larvae, and naturalists so far can only assume that the beetle spends the beginning of its life inside trees.
22. Australian walking stick
Photo: Rosa Pineda
The Australian walking stick (Extatosoma tiaratum) is a huge herbivorous insect native to the tropical and temperate rainforests of Australia. These creatures are very similar to praying mantises, but entomologists distinguish them as two absolutely different types. Females are usually larger than males, reaching up to 20 centimeters in length and covered with spiny spines. In turn, males also have something to brag about - they have as many as 3 eyes, and they can fly, unlike females, who only have the rudiments of wings.
21. Moth satin
Photo: Quartl
This giant moth lives in tropical and sub- tropical forests South East Asia, and is considered one of the largest species of lepidopteran insects on the planet. The wingspan of the tropical moth is 25 centimeters, and the surface area of the wings of the atlas is 400 square centimeters, which is larger than that of any other insect in the world. Moreover, its life expectancy is only 5-7 days. People have found a rather practical use for this short-lived beauty - in India, the giant moth is bred to produce silk thread.
20. Rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros) 
Photo: Mark Pellegrini (Raul654)
The giant rhinoceros cockroach (also known as the burrowing cockroach) lives in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia, and is the largest and heaviest cockroach in the world. An adult representative of this species grows up to 8 centimeters in length and can weigh up to 35 grams. The life expectancy of the burrowing cockroach is quite impressive - scientists have found individuals whose age has reached as much as 10 years. You may be surprised, but among amateur entomologists the giant rhinoceros cockroach is quite popular as a... pet.
19. Elephant beetle
Photo: sdbeazley / flickr
This insect prefers the humidity of tropical forests and lowlands of Central and South America (especially Mexico). The elephant beetle (or megasoma elephant) is a large insect that grows up to a length of up to 13 centimeters. Impressive in size, these creatures live only 1-3 months, prefer the night, feed on tree sap and tropical fruits.
18. Phobaeticus chani 
Photo: P.E. Bragg
Phobaeticus chani is a species of insect from the stick insect family, recognized as one of the longest in the world. Its more common name is Chan's stick insect, which this insect received in honor of its researcher Datuk Chen Zhaolun. A giant stick insect was discovered not long ago in the tropical forest of Borneo, where a Chinese naturalist had the opportunity to examine an individual of incredible length - 57 centimeters! The beetle species Phobaeticus chani is still not fully understood because the insect lives on the tallest trees in the rainforest, making it too secretive for observation and research.
17. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing
Photo: Robert Nash
It is amazing beautiful creature was discovered in the rainforests of Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea. Another name for this birdwing is also known - the Queen Alexandra Ornithopter, and it is recognized as the largest butterfly in the world. The wingspan of this giant creature reaches 30.5 centimeters, and it feeds mainly on the nectar of tropical flowers.
16. Giant water bug
Photo: Frank Vassen
The giant water bug (Belostomatidae) is also known as the “alligator flea” and is found primarily in freshwater bodies of water, lakes, streams and rivers in North and South America, northern Australia and East Asia. Aquatic bugs are fierce predators, and cases of these bugs have been known to attack not only fish and frogs, but also small snakes and even turtles. Killer bug? It sounds creepy, but another equally predatory insect awaits you ahead. Be patient until point 11 of our top...
15. Giant Atlas Beetle
Photo: JohnSka
The Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) got its name in honor of the ancient mythical deity who held the vault of heaven on his shoulders. Another name for this beetle is the Caucasian beetle, and representatives of this species are considered one of the largest on Earth. The atlas is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia. Male atlas can reach as much as 13 centimeters in length.
14. St. Helena Earwig
Photo: wikimedia
Here is the giant earwig Labidura herculeana, the largest representative of the Leatherwing order, which is also sometimes called the “Dodo of the earwig world” (the Dodo is a giant bird that became extinct in the 17th century AD) or the St. Helena earwig. History knows about the 8-centimeter Labidura herculeana, but the last time a living adult of this earwig was seen was in May 1967, and in 2014 scientists sadly announced that the Dodo of the earwig world had finally become extinct.
13. Goliath beetle
Photo: fir0002
Endemic to tropical regions of Africa, goliath beetles are the largest insects in the world, both as adults and as larvae. These beetles are believed to be the heaviest of all insects on Earth. Their larvae weigh up to 100 grams, and adults reach up to 12 centimeters in length.
12. Longhorned beetles or woodcutters
Photo: Hectonichus
The long-horned beetle in the photo is a giant species of beetle, easily recognized by its beautiful pattern on its back and enlarged jaws. There are other names for this insect - barbel, woodcutter, or scientifically Cerambycidae. The long-horned beetle lives in the tropical forests of South America, and despite its enormous size (more than 17 centimeters in length), this species of insect can even fly.
11. Tarantula Hawk
Photo: wikimedia
The tarantula is a large road wasp or pompilid that preys on tarantulas. The females of this species of insect paralyze the spider with a sting from their sting. On a successful hunt, these seemingly modest creatures are capable of defeating a tarantula, which is most often 8 times heavier than a road wasp. This difference in weight does not interfere with dragging the killed spider into a hole, where the female lays her larvae directly on the body of the prey. When new tarantulas are born, they initially feed on the tarantulas stored in the burrow.
10. Giant Scolia Wasp
Photo: Didier Descouens
9. Gauromydas heros 
Photo: Biologoandre
Gauromydas heros are the most big flies in the world. The length of this variety dipteran insect grows up to 7 centimeters, and its wingspan reaches 10 centimeters, which is quite a lot for a fly. Gauromydas heros lives in southern Brazil and prefers to lay its larvae in anthills. Scientists have not fully studied the lifestyle of this species, but adult males presumably feed on flower nectar, females probably do not, and the larvae of these flies eat the larvae of leaf-cutter ants, in whose colonies they hide.
8. Macrotermes Bellicosus
Photo: ETF89
This termite lives in Africa and Southeast Asia. Macrotermes Bellicosus is the largest known representative of its infraorder. This insect was included in our list due to the fact that its uterus during the egg-laying period reaches approximately 11 centimeters in length. The sizes of other members of the colony are much more modest - worker termites grow up to 3-4 centimeters, and soldiers are not much larger. Macrotermes Bellicosus live by hunting and gathering, and the peak activity of this termite species occurs during the rainy season.
7. Hercules beetle
Photo: Anaxibia
The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is one of the largest beetles in the world and is found primarily in the jungles of South America. Representatives of this genus are considered the largest and most famous of all rhinoceros beetles, close relatives of scarabs. Some males reach 17.5 centimeters, including monocorn length.
6. Thysania agrippina
Photo: Acrocynus
Thysania agrippina is a nocturnal moth, more commonly known by other names including the agrippina cutworm, agrippina cutworm, tysania agrippina, agrippina, night moth, and even the ghost moth. The agrippina cutworm is one of the largest flying insects, and its wingspan reaches almost 30 centimeters. The largest nocturnal one lives in Mexico, Central America and South America, and is also sometimes found in Texas.
5. Stag beetle (Lucanidae)
Photo: Trevor Harris / geograph.org.uk
The stag beetle or stag beetle, also sometimes known as the comb beetle, is an insect that is easily recognized due to its huge size(about 12 centimeters in length) and impressive mandibles (lower jaws) resembling tusks or horns. In appearance, the beetle looks very scary, but in fact it feeds on tree sap, and uses its lower jaws only in mating games or during fights with its own relatives. For people, this insect is usually completely harmless.
4. Giant Homoptera Dragonfly
Photo: Steven G. Johnson
The largest dragonfly currently living on our planet, the giant homoptera dragonfly in scientific world also known as Megaloprepus Caerulatus. The graceful insect is decorated with silver-blue stripes, as well as white and black spots. But don't be fooled by its beauty, this dragonfly is a dangerous predator. True, Megaloprepus Caerulatus poses the greatest threat only to spiders, which the homopterus catches directly from their cozy webs. The giant dragonfly lives in the tropical forests of Central and South America, and the largest wingspan of these insects is a whopping 19 centimeters!
3. Praying Mantis
Photo: Oliver Koemmerling
This insect is located almost at the top of its the food chain and feeds mainly on other members of its own class, although there is evidence that mantises sometimes attack small reptiles, small mammals and even birds! The largest mantis known to entomologists was discovered in southern China in 1929, and its length was as much as 18 centimeters.
2. Stick insect Zhao
Photo: Joachim Bresseel, Jérôme Constant
In 2014, it was discovered in the southern province of Guangxi the new kind insect. It was the Zhao stick insect (Phryganistria Chinensis Zhao), whose dimensions reached as much as 62.4 centimeters. The giant was discovered by Chinese entomologist Zhao Li, and today it is the longest insect in the world. The stick insect was named after a Chinese researcher who hunted this incredible fastmatid for 6 years until he finally managed to catch one of these long-legged beauties.
1. Long-legged mosquitoes of the species Holorusia Brobdignagius
Photo: wikimedia
Long-legged mosquitoes or caramors are insects of the Diptera family of the long-whiskered suborder. Their favorite habitat is forests near fresh water bodies and swamps. Adults feed on plant nectar, while larvae feed on rotting plants. The largest representative of the Karamors, holorusia brobdignagius grows up to 23 centimeters in length if the limbs are extended behind and in front of its body. This size allows us to consider this Chinese centipede the longest of its kind.
Incredible facts
One of the most amazing and mysterious human phobias (and one of the most common!) is fear of insects.
There are many assumptions why most of us fall into a stupor or begin to fuss in panic when we see a beetle or cockroach in our immediate vicinity.
Maybe it's because they are so different from us? Or perhaps Mother Nature has programmed us to react this way, since time immemorial, when a person could easily die from an insect bite?
Be that as it may, the fact remains - we are afraid of them. However, many people have noticed another amazing feature– being afraid of all sorts of small insects, they react quite normally to major representatives these types.
Would you like to test how you react to large and very large spiders, beetles and other cockroaches?
Giant stick insect
This tropical insect is considered the most suitable species to keep at home as a pet (it's no secret that there are such lovers!).
Although the name of the order to which the giant stick insect belongs, frankly speaking, is not inspiring - ghostly(lat. Phasmatodea ). It comes from the Greek word "phasma", meaning phantom, or specter. These insects, depending on the species, may look like an ordinary twig or a large leaf.
The giant stick insect is considered the longest creature in the insect kingdom. It can reach a length sixty or more centimeters! Many species from this order are characterized by the ability to reproduce asexually.
Giant stick insects are vegetarians, but very often they eat their own shed skin. When such an insect senses danger, it falls to the ground, pretending to be dead, or begins a strange hours-long dance, rocking his extremely unusual body from side to side.
Goliath beetle
The Goliath beetle is rightfully considered one of the largest insects on earth, judging by its size, weight and shape. The homeland of this amazing creature is the African tropical jungle.
They can reach a length more than twelve centimeters, while in the larval state their weight sometimes exceeds one hundred grams. The average weight of adults is half that.
Goliath beetle boasts protective shell, under which it has wings. When the beetle is about to take off, it spreads these wings and the sound that accompanies the flight is very similar to the sound of a child's toy helicopter!
Another distinctive feature of this beetle is its horn, located on the head of an insect. With the help of this horn, males sort things out, claiming a female or defending territory.
Females also have a horn, although of a slightly different shape. And it serves another purpose - with its help, females dig burrows when they are preparing to lay eggs. Although in the wild goliath beetles eat a diet of fruit and drink tree sap, in captivity they are quite capable of feeding on dog and cat food.
Peacock eye atlas
The peacock-eye atlas was at one time discovered in southeast Asia and became rightfully considered largest moth in the world. Just imagine - the wingspan of this moth is about 26 centimeters.
This beautiful insect got its name thanks to the ornate patterns on its wings, which are shaped like a map. The tips of the wings of the atlas are very similar to the head of a snake.
Actually thanks to this unusual shape wings and their bright colors, this moth scares away predators. And males are attracted to females not by their wings, but by highlighting special pheromone from a special gland located in the lower abdominal cavity.
Males can sense a partner from kilometers away by this smell. After the female atlas leaves her cocoon, she almost immediately enters adulthood, as the entire period of her life lasts one, maximum two weeks. Moths lay eggs, feeding on the reserves accumulated in the larval state, and then die quite quickly.
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (scientific name Ornithoptera alexandrae ) was named after the English Queen Alexandra. This butterfly, which is the largest on earth, was first discovered in one of the provinces Papua New Guinea– provinces Oro.
Females of this species are usually larger than males and have a wingspan of up to thirty-five centimeters. The birdwing feeds from a large herbaceous plant entitled aristolochia. This makes the eggs this butterfly lays poisonous.
Subsequently emerging caterpillars have a chance to avoid the fate of being eaten, since they have very unpleasant taste for birds and many other predators. Since 1989 this beautiful view is in danger of extinction due to the damage caused to it by people cutting down forests and settling more and more lands.
Giant Weta
The giant weta is considered largest insect in New Zealand. It is more than ten centimeters in length and weighs about 85 grams.
And a pregnant weta even weighs more than a sparrow! Having no wings and leading a nocturnal lifestyle, the weta straightens its wings in case of danger. long hind legs, hoping thereby to scare away some predator who intended to feast on it.
If this does not help, the weta falls on its back, pretending to be dead, thereby becoming completely defenseless. IN mating season the males of these insects overcome up to 15 kilometers per night looking for a female.
Females prefer to sit still, unlikely to move more than a few tens of meters per night. For about a hundred years this insect turned out to be endangered on the territory of New Zealand. But now there are quite a lot of them on small nearby islands. The main enemy of these animals is man, who is exploring new living spaces and various predators.
Chinese mantis
The homeland of the Chinese praying mantis, as the name suggests, is China. However, at the end of the 19th century, this insect was introduced to North America to control other insects that are considered pests.
It was believed that a miraculous potion could be prepared from this amazing insect, which could cure, for example, impotence.
In addition, it was believed that if you fry the eggs that a female Chinese mantis lays and feed them to children with bedwetting, then they will be cured. This insect grows over ten centimeters in length and is the largest mantis.
It feeds, as has already been said, on other insects, but does not disdain cannibalism. Females can even catch and eat small lizards and other amphibians. And sometimes a hummingbird can fall into their clutches.
When the mantis hunts, it takes "prayer" pose, folding his front paws together below his head. As soon as an opportune moment presents itself, the praying mantis jumps and grabs its prey.
Mating is a very unsafe process for males, who jump on the backs of larger females and may well become their prey. It’s just that the female, during intercourse, can turn around and grab the male by the head, holding him in this position until the sexual intercourse ends in order to then devour the poor fellow.
Giant dragonfly
Giant dragonfly (scientific name Petalura gigantean
), native to Australia, was recently listed as a critically endangered insect.
Reason – drying out wetlands on the mainland. And although the giant dragonfly loves swampy areas, it is still a terrestrial insect, since it spends most of its life on land.
How real predator, a giant dragonfly hunts other insects, which it immediately eats. She hunts on the fly. Females of this insect are usually larger than males.
Their wingspan reaches fifteen centimeters. During the mating season, females go about their usual business, fluttering over the swamps, and males fly around them, choosing a mate.
If the female doesn’t like the male, she turns away back body inside, and if the suitor is to her liking, she allows the male to approach and attach to her. Then they both turn into a kind of flying family tandem.
The unusual pairing does not end there. The male has two pairs of genital organs and literally before fertilization, the male’s sperm comes from his first genital organs to the second! And later, the fertilized female lays eggs in peat moss in the swamp.
Giant burrowing rhinoceros cockroach
Home of the giant burrowing rhinoceros cockroach - North Queensland, Australian state. This is the largest and heaviest of all cockroach species on the planet.
It can weigh up to 30 grams with body length up to eight centimeters! Since they do not have wings and are not able to move long distances, these cockroaches are not considered pests.
They live in bushes and their lifespan reaches up to ten years. Some insect lovers consider this cockroach to be a wonderful pet, as the rhinoceros cockroach loves cleanliness very much, does not have unpleasant odor, and does not strive to leave his aquarium.
Nickname "digging" This cockroach received its name due to its ability to dig long and deep tunnels. Thus, this cockroach is the only one in his squad, which can arrange a home for itself underground. This insect prefers to feed on fallen eucalyptus leaves. The female rhinoceros cockroach lays until thirty larvae, and the cockroaches that hatch from them spend up to nine months with their mother, until they themselves learn to settle underground.
Giant water beetle
At first glance, the body of a giant water beetle looks like floor cleaning sponge. However, all these pimples on his back are just eggs, which, by the way, are carried only by males.
The largest beetle of the cicada family, the giant beetle grows up to 12 centimeters in length.. Its bite is very painful, so anyone who dives under water in the habitat of the water beetle risks learning it for themselves.
In general, this beetle is considered the most biting of all others in the insect kingdom. Despite its not very appetizing appearance, this insect is considered a delicacy (and a very delicious one!), for example, in Thailand. The water beetle itself feeds on fish, small amphibians and crustaceans.
With its saliva containing paralyzing substances, the beetle immobilizes the victim and then sucks out its liquid remains. When a beetle encounters prey that is too tough for it, or when it itself becomes the object of hunting, for example, by a person, insect pretends to be dead.
At the same time, an unpleasant-smelling liquid begins to flow from his anus. Females lay their eggs directly on males, who move with them, as the eggs need air (to avoid mold growing on them!).
Three weeks later, thanks to dad’s efforts (mom just doesn’t interfere!) the eggs turn into larvae.
Despite the fact that insects are considered one of the smallest inhabitants of our planet, among them there are some really large specimens that can give a head start in size even to some vertebrates. Many people are interested in finding out what are the largest insects in the world. In our article we have compiled the top largest representatives of this class of invertebrate animals. Don’t be surprised that you won’t find spiders in it, because, oddly enough, spiders, for all their external similarity, are not insects, but are separate class, to which we will devote a special article. So, let's get started and quickly answer the question - what is the largest insect in the world.
Our top 10 largest insects in the world open with the Giant Hornet, which lives mainly in Asian countries, but it can also be found in Russia in the Primorsky Territory. This hornet reaches a length of about 5 cm, its poison is very toxic and dangerous for people who are allergic to such stings. Throughout history, many deaths have been recorded from the bites of these dangerous insects. Another remarkable fact is that the Giant Hornet can pursue its target up to 5 km, so it is better not to anger these representatives of the fauna.
In ninth place is the heaviest and largest cockroach in the world - the Rhinoceros Cockroach. Its length reaches 8 centimeters, and its weight often exceeds 30 grams. This brown giant lives in the forests of Australia. Where it digs long underground tunnels for itself, hence its second name, the Giant Digging Cockroach. Surprisingly, this insect is very popular among people, who often keep them as pets.
Eighth place on our list is occupied by the Giant Weta, females of which can reach 9 cm in length, and their weight often exceeds 70 grams. The hind legs of this insect are covered with many spines (this is clearly visible in the photo), with the help of which Ueta defends itself from enemies by a kind of kicking. These giant “grasshoppers” live in New Zealand.
Our top of the largest insects continues with the Giant water bug. If you think that bedbugs live only on land, you are deeply mistaken. This largest representative of this order of insects lives in water and reaches a size of about 15 cm. Needless to say, the bite of such a giant is very painful; their prey is mainly small fish and frogs. Another remarkable fact is that female water bugs lay their eggs directly on the back of the male. He carries them on himself for about 10 days, after which new offspring hatch. Surprisingly, many Asian countries consider this insect a delicacy and readily eat it.
Next on our list is walking or crawling:) The Hercules beetle. The size of this giant beetle reaches 18 cm. These insects inhabit the forests of Southern and Central America, as well as Caribbean countries. The male of this fauna can be easily distinguished by his “trademark” long horn; females have no horns at all. This beetle earned its nickname because it can carry objects hundreds of times its own weight.
In fifth place we again have a representative of beetles - the Titan Lumberjack. It is considered the largest beetle on our planet. The titan woodcutter, according to various sources, reaches a size of 22 cm. This insect has very powerful jaws, with the help of which it tears apart the wood in which it likes to hide in daytime days. Snacking on an ordinary pencil is a piece of cake for him. You can meet these giants in the tropical forests of South America. A remarkable fact is that a dried specimen of this insect reaches a price of about $1,000 from collectors.
Our top list of the most gigantic insects in the world continues with the Atlas Peacock-eye butterfly. Its wingspan reaches 25 cm. This insect received its name in honor of the ancient Greek titan Atlas, who held the sky on his shoulders. A remarkable fact is that this butterfly lives only 2 weeks and eats absolutely nothing, I use a supply nutrients, obtained at the stage of its being in the form of a caterpillar. The atlas peacock eye can be found in the countries of Southeast Asia.
The top three of our list opens with the Giant Scolopendra, the largest living centipede. This insect can reach a length of about 27 cm. The legs of the Giant Scolopendra end in poisonous claws, which it plunges into its prey. This aggressive insect preys on lizards, rodents and even small birds. It is noteworthy that this representative of the fauna has poor eyesight and focuses on special receptors sensitive to the effects of chemicals.
In second place is again a butterfly - Queen Alexandra's Birdwing. Its wingspan reaches 28 cm. It is considered the largest butterfly in the world. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing received its name in honor of Queen Alexandra of Great Britain, who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries. The habitat of this beautiful butterfly is limited to New Zealand and only to places where you can find kirkazon plants on which it feeds and in which it lays eggs.
And finally, we answer the question - what is the largest insect in the world. This is Chan's Megastick. The record length of this amazing insect was recorded in 1989 and amounted to 57 cm. Chan's megastick insect is a born master of camouflage; it is almost impossible to distinguish it from a tree branch. This is probably why only 3 specimens of this amazing creature were found, all in Malaysia.
Among all living creatures that exist on Earth, insects are one of the most numerous classes. The number of their species reaches 1,000,000,000. People are very lucky that these tiny but numerous creatures for the most part live in peace with them.
After all, even giant spiders and cockroaches from Hollywood horror films can become a real nightmare for all humanity. But among insects there are also quite large species. In this material we will introduce you to the largest representatives of this class.
The largest butterfly on Earth is the Queen Alexandra ornithoptera, which belongs to the family called Swallowtails. The wingspan of this giant is 28 cm.
This variety was described at the beginning of the last century by A. Mick. The name of the butterfly was given by the banker W. Rothschild in honor of the wife of the British king, Alexandra.
The largest insect in the world can only be seen in the tropics of Papua New Guinea near the town of Popondetta. The eruption of a volcano called Lamington in the middle of the last century led to the destruction of more than 250 km2 of the habitat of this species of butterflies, which became main reason their extremely rare distribution. In addition, due to the decline in the population of these insects due to the destruction of forests, they were included in the list of animals that cannot be caught for sale.
Male ornithopters are smaller than females. With a weight of 12 g, an abdomen length of 8 cm, the wingspan of females is 28 centimeters. The belly and wings are dark brown in color with patterns of yellow and cream shades. Males are very different from females. Their dimensions are no more than 20 centimeters. They have narrow wings of green and blue shades. Their main diet consists of the leaves of a plant called Aristolochia.
The Atlas peacock-eye is one of the largest butterflies on Earth. Its wingspan is 25 cm. Its name is associated with the character of ancient Greek myths, Atlas, who held the sky on his own powerful shoulders. These giant butterflies live in Indonesian, Chinese, Thai subtropical and tropical forests. They live only 10 days. Moreover, during this time the butterflies do not feed on anything, since oral apparatus They dont have. They live thanks to the substances they received as caterpillars. Due to the hunting organized by humans, the number of this species of butterfly has decreased extremely.
The Titan Lumberjack is the largest beetle on our planet. Its body length can be 22 centimeters. So says the famous entomologist Martins, who managed to catch an adult beetle exactly 22 centimeters long. Museums display specimens of the beetle measuring 17 centimeters or more. However, you must agree that such dimensions cannot but impress.
But like this large sizes only some individuals can have it. The average length of this bug does not exceed 13 centimeters. This giant can be found in South America. Some businessmen in the summer and winter periods organize special tours to South America to capture this giant.
The beetle weighs 25 g and can be dark brown or reddish-brown in color. Females are noticeably larger than males and have a different structure. Woodcutters adhere to a nocturnal lifestyle, and during the day they hide in tree hollows or rotten stumps. Moreover, the most susceptible to the effects of light are males, who are extremely rarely caught in the light traps created by entomologists.
This representative of giant insects has a very impressive size. The body length of some individuals of this species reaches 15 cm. It is a nocturnal predator. It lives in China. The praying mantis gained popularity and love from farmers due to its ability to destroy all kinds of pests. The Chinese praying mantis feeds on locusts and flies. Large adults can also feast on small birds. Typically, females eat males during the breeding process. The Chinese keep praying mantises as pets. They very quickly get used to a person and take food from his hands without fear. At home, insects do not show aggression and are extremely calm.
The tree lobster is also called the giant stick insect. This is one of largest insects on our planet. Today there are very few of them left in the world. For a long time, the giant stick insect was considered a completely extinct species, until several of these insects were found on one small Australian island. Scientists managed to increase their population. Despite the lack of wings, the tree lobster is able to move quickly. The reproduction process of this species has its own unique features. The giant stick insect does not need a male to reproduce. When laying eggs, the female creates her own clone.
The largest freshwater insects are considered to be giant water bugs, which are classified as Hemipterans. This family is divided into two main types: carnivores and herbivores. Their body length is 10 cm. They feed by introducing special, irritating substances into the bodies of victims. The victims of these insects are mainly small snakes and turtles. However, giant water bugs also often bite people. The sensation from the bite of this giant insect on the Schmidt scale, according to which pain and strength are measured, reaches 4 points - the highest point on the scale. For comparison: a wasp sting does not exceed 2 points. In addition, the bite can cause permanent damage to the muscles.
These beetles are the heaviest beetles on our planet. Their weight reaches 100 grams, which corresponds to the weight of 5 sparrows! In addition, they are very strong and quite difficult to hold in your hands.
The length of females is 80 mm, and males are 110 millimeters. The width of the belly of females is 5 cm, and that of males is 6 centimeters. In addition to their size, males also have external differences from females: they have a Y-shaped horn on their head; females do not have a similar process, but they have a shield with which they dig holes to lay eggs.
The colors of goliath beetles depend on their habitat. To be active, they need to maintain a certain level of body temperature, which is why in shady places many beetles have a dark color with barely noticeable white stripes. Thanks to this coloring, their body quickly heats up.
These wonderful creatures can be seen in the equatorial and southeastern parts of Africa. Due to the specifics of their adaptation in South Africa light color predominates, and in the Central region it is dark. In total, there are up to six varieties of goliaths, each of which has its own unique coloring.
Goliaths spend the main part of their life in the crowns of trees. There they feed on tree sap and all kinds of overripe fruits. Ini also love to eat pollen. These beetles rarely descend to the ground. In conditions wildlife Goliath beetles live only 6 months.
