Mother Nature has diversity as a rule. From the most amazing natural landscapes, to the infinite variety of plant and animal species. In the field of animals we find curious species, others of great beauty and others that stand out for being the most intelligent. But this time we wanted to immerse ourselves in the strange and distant world of giant insects. On some occasion we present you a selection of the rarer insects. Now we are determined to surprise you even more. That’s why We present you with a list of the ten largest insects in the world. Awesome!
Insects form the most diverse group of animals on our planet, with more than a million known species. All of us are used to dealing daily with small insects that we usually find in almost all the places we go. Ants, cockroaches, small house spiders, crickets… the variety is simply endless. And although we do not usually come across species that exceed 3 cm in length, there are certain mutations that imply a large size of them. Do you want to know some of the largest insects in the world? Don’t miss the list below!
The 10 largest insects in the world that you should know
1. The Goliath Tarantula
We begin our tour of the largest insects in the world, with the Goliath tarantula. If tarantulas already scare you a little, it won’t comfort you to know that there is a species that can reach 30 centimeters: the Goliath. Can be found in Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, where they dig tunnels in swampy areas. If it stings you, its poison will not last more than 48 hours in your body since it is not fatal. Of course, you must prepare for pain, since it usually creates large wounds.
2. The Giant Stick Insect
We can find it in Singapore and Malaysia, reaching 55 centimeters in length. Its body is covered with sharp spines that are longer on the hind legs.. However, you can rest easy, since it is totally harmless to humans. In addition, it is herbivorous; generally feeds on conifers, mangoes, or guavas.
3. The Hercules Beetle
We add to the list of the largest insects in the world the Hercules beetle. This insect can reach 18 centimeters in length. It is one of the strongest species of insects known, being able to support a weight up to 850 times its own.. The males of this species have thoracic horns that they use to fight each other for a female. It lives in the tropical forests, jungles and equatorial forests of Central and South America.
4. The Atlas Butterfly
The next largest insect in the world is the Atlas butterfly. It is the largest variety of butterfly in the world and It can measure between 25 and 35 centimeters, the female being much larger and stronger than the male.. It can be found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The silk produced by this butterfly is brown in color and is highly valued in Taiwan, where it is used, due to its great resistance, to make handbags.
5. The Asian Giant Mantis
The Asian giant mantis is found in China, India, Java, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and is one of the giant insects you should know about. They can reach 11 centimeters in length. They are not dangerous for people, but they are dangerous for other types of insects or even mice that they hunt for food, especially if they are found in humid areas such as swamps or ponds. As with other species of mantis, sometimes, after mating, it usually eats the male.
6. The Weta
Another of the largest insects in the world is the Weta. They live in New Zealand and They can weigh 71 grams!, which makes them the heaviest insects in the world. In addition, they can reach 20 centimeters in length. The Weta take advantage of the sunset to feed on fruits, leaves or other insects that are dead or diseased. Despite being an aggressive insect that knows how to defend itself, it is in danger of extinction due to the inclusion of other predatory species.
7. Alexandra Butterfly
The Alexandra is the largest day butterfly on the planet and is counted among the giant insects, reaching a total wingspan of 31 centimeters. We can find them in Papua New Guinea. However, the conversion of forests to palm oil plantations and the hunting of collectors for their magnificent colors have reduced the area in which they live. They feed on the leaves of a poisonous vine, absorbing its toxins. This makes them poisonous and unpleasant to their predators.
8. The Golden Silk Spider
The golden silk spider is another of the largest insects in the world. It draws attention to the fact that only the females of this species are gigantic, as they measure about 12 centimeters. One of the most interesting features of this species is that the spider’s web appears gold when light reflects off it. In addition, it has a neurotoxic venom that is not fatal to humans.
9. Wasp hunts tarantulas
We advance in our list of the largest insects in the world, talking about the tarantula-hunting wasp. They use their sting, one of the most painful in the world, to paralyze spiders, drive them back to their nest, and eat them alive. It is about 5 centimeters long, which makes it one of the largest wasps in the animal kingdom.
10. The Birdwing Butterfly
We add to the giant insects, the bird-wing butterfly, which is the largest in the world. The wings of the females can measure up to 25 centimeters. They live in the coastal rainforest area, east of Papua New Guinea. They are currently on the list of endangered species.
So far our compilation of the largest insects in the world has come. Despite the fact that due to their size they can give you some creepiness, do not forget that they are very important for the environment. Tell us Supercurious, What do you think of these 10 giant insects of our planet? Do you know any more? What impression do you get when you see them? We look forward to reading your comment.