10 largest insects in the world: some of them can scare even experienced entomologists

Are there people who are not afraid of any insects and bugs at all? It is not known. But there are definitely insects that can frighten even experienced entomologists with their appearance and size.

Tree Hugger tells us about the species of the largest insects that exist today. Among them are hercules beetles, giant vetas, and satin butterflies (whose wingspan can reach 30 cm).

Titan beetles

The Amazon rainforest is home to many large beetles, but none of them can match the length of the titan beetle (Titanus giganteus). This massive beetle can reach 17 cm in length, making it the largest in the world in terms of body size. The titanium beetle also has mandibles that can easily break a pencil in half and even cut into human flesh. It may come as a surprise to some, but this beetle attracts adventurous tourists, and many ecotourism agencies in South America advertise its photos in their brochures.

Titan beetles live in the rainforests of Bolivia, north-central Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guiana, and Peru.

Stick insects

The longest insects on the planet belong to the order Phasmatodea, commonly known as sticks. These insects have evolved a bizarre shape to hide from predators among branches, twigs, and leaves. Stick insects, which look like real sticks, can vary greatly in size depending on the species, but many are over 30 cm long.

The longest stick insects, also known as sticks, belong to the genus Phobaeticus, including the species Phobaeticus serratipes and Phobaeticus chani. Both species can reach approximately 56 cm and used to hold the world record for the longest insects before being surpassed by newly discovered species. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Phryganistria chinensis, discovered in China in 2016, holds the world record for the longest insect. One of these specimens measured 64 cm.

Giant vetas

Members of the genus Deinacrida, known as giant vets, are huge insects endemic to the island of New Zealand, closely related to crickets. Giant vetas typically grow up to 10 cm in length and weigh up to 35 grams, which is roughly the weight of a sparrow. These massive insects are among the heaviest insects on earth. One specimen of a female giant veta (Deinacrida heteracantha) weighed 71 grams, the heaviest adult insect ever observed.

Goliath beetles

Based on weight and volume, members of the beetle genus Goliathus, commonly known as goliath beetles, are serious contenders for the title of the world's largest insect. These huge beetles live all over Africa, and males of this genus can be over 10 cm long and weigh over 57 grams. However, goliath beetles are even more massive in the larval stage: they can weigh up to 100 grams, making their larvae the heaviest insects on earth. Although a giant veta specimen weighing 71 grams still holds the record for the heaviest adult insect, some entomologists believe that specific adult goliath beetles in the wild may weigh more and break this record, but scientists have not yet caught and weighed them.

Satin butterflies

Common to the Malay archipelago, the bird-sized Attacus atlas butterfly is considered the largest butterfly in the world. They are so large that Asians occasionally use their cocoons as wallets for small change. Their wings are among the largest on Earth, with a wingspan of up to 25-27 centimeters and a total surface area of about 160 square centimeters. The larvae of this species are also enormous. Their caterpillars can reach a length of almost 13 cm and weigh up to 60 grams.

Tarantula hawks

Members of the wasp genus Pepsis and Hemipepsis, known as tarantula hawks, are the largest wasps on earth, usually measuring about 5 cm long. These huge wasps are so large and ferocious that they can prey on tarantulas, which they use as a food source for their massive larvae. The female hawk tarantula lays her eggs in the abdomen of a tarantula while it is still alive, and her offspring will eat the spider alive after hatching.

Tarantula hawks are also known for their massive stingers, which can reach a length of more than half a centimeter. Their bites are considered to be among the most painful insect bites in the world. The pain caused by the bite of a tarantula hawk Pepsis grossa is second only to the shooting ant.

Maidas fly

Members of the Mydidae fly family, commonly known as Maidas flies, can come in a variety of sizes. Many are among the largest flies in the world, reaching a length of approximately 6 cm. One species of Maidas fly, Gauromydas heros, is the largest fly on Earth, reaching a length of 7 cm with a wingspan of 10 cm. In comparison, common house flies (Musca domestica) are usually only half a centimeter long and have a wingspan of about 1.3 cm.

Hercules beetles

The hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is the longest species of beetle on Earth and one of the largest flying insects in the world. The extraordinary length of hercules beetle specimens is the result of their massive horns, which are only found in male beetles and are used to fight other males during mate disputes. The horn of a male hercules beetle can be more than half of its length, allowing them to reach lengths of up to 18 cm. The body size of the hercules beetle, excluding the horn, ranges from 5 to 8.5 centimeters.

Giant water beetle

Most members of the insect order Hemiptera, known as true beetles, are not very large, compared to stick insects or giant vetas. However, one family in this order, the Belostomatidae, or giant water beetles, contains species that can approach the length of the largest beetles in the world. These huge insects, also known as fingerlings and alligator mites, can grow up to 12 centimeters. The largest water bugs belong to the genus Lethocerus, with the species Lethocerus grandis and Lethocerus maximus competing for the title of largest.

Queen Alexandra's bird wings

The Queen Alexandra's butterfly (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is the largest butterfly in the world. Found only in remote regions of Papua New Guinea, the species was discovered in 1906, and the first specimen found was shot down with a rifle. Females are slightly larger than males, with wingspans approaching or exceeding 25-28 centimeters. Males usually have a wingspan of 15 to 20 cm. In addition, the body length of a female can be slightly more than 7.5 cm.

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