Quck answer
1. Goliath beetle – one of the largest beetles in the world, reaching up to 11 cm in length.
2. Titan beetle – the largest beetle in the world, with some individuals reaching up to 17 cm in length.
3. Hercules beetle – one of the largest beetles in the world, known for its impressive horns.
4. Atlas moth – one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan of up to 30 cm.
5. Tarantula hawk wasp – one of the largest wasps in the world, known for its painful sting.
6. Giant centipede – one of the largest centipedes in the world, reaching up to 30 cm in length.
7. Goliath bird-eating spider – one of the largest spiders in the world, with a leg span of up to 30 cm.
8. African giant millipede – one of the largest millipedes in the world, reaching up to 38 cm in length.
9. Giant weta – one of the largest insects in the world, found in New Zealand.
10. Chinese mantis – one of the largest mantises in the world, reaching up to 10 cm in length.
Wild Animals
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People often appreciate cute and small creatures in nature, but what about the huge insects and arachnids featured on these pages, many of which are endangered or threatened? Would you be comfortable confronting a spider the size of a dinner plate or an 8-inch-long beetle?
Giant Weta
The giant weta in New Zealand is named after the Maori word for “god of bad looks,” and it’s not difficult to understand why. This species has an interesting history: scientists believe it shared its land with dinosaurs and had no natural predators until rats were introduced by European settlers.
Although there are over 70 weta species on the island, 16 of them are endangered or threatened, and the country’s Department of Conservation is working hard to protect them. The giant weta is one of the world’s heaviest insects, growing up to three inches and weighing up to 1.5 ounces. To give you an idea of its size, compare it to the tomato in the background.
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Stag Beetle
The male stag beetle, which is three inches long, is easily recognizable by its spiky front antlers, also known as mandibles. These are a crucial aspect of courtship rituals and wrestling matches. The slightly smaller females, on the other hand, are more dangerous since they don’t have giant spikes but possess a more terrifying bite.
These beetles thrive on dead wood, but their numbers appear to be diminishing. Researchers attribute this to their lengthy maturation period, which lasts four years from larvae to adult, and “the over-zealous tidying of dead timber and stumps,” according to ARKive.
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Goliath Beetle
It’s difficult to comprehend the true size of the Goliath beetle from this photograph, but the smaller bugs around it can provide a sense of scale. These beetles are part of the 30,000-strong scarab family, which has roamed the earth for 300 million years and reportedly holds the record for the world’s heaviest insect. One specimen was 4.5 inches long and weighed 3.5 ounces.
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Giant Walking Stick
Not all giant bugs have terrifyingly sharp jaws and an external armor. The giant walking stick looks almost delicate compared to these large beetles. Or, at least, it would if you could spot it. These insects are some of the most successful hiders in the world, with bodies that closely resemble the trees and branches where they live.
Female walking sticks are frequently bigger than males and can reach up to 21 inches when measured from toe to toe. You can find them almost everywhere in tropical regions and some temperate zones, where they seek refuge under plants during the day and feed on leaves at night.
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The Queen Alexandra Birdwing Butterfly is a stunning insect with a wingspan that can reach one foot across. The males are brightly colored while the females are more subdued. They are native to New Guinea but are now endangered due to habitat destruction. Their diet, which consists of pipeline plant, adds to their allure as it is poisonous to most other creatures.
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The Titan Beetle is aptly named as it is the most massive member of its species, the longhorn beetles, and the longest beetle found in the Amazon rainforest. Adults can reach up to 8 inches in length. The larvae of the Titan Beetle have never been seen in person, but boreholes thought to be created by them seem to fit a grub over two inches wide and perhaps as much as one foot long.
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The Dung Beetle may not be the largest beetle on this list, but it overpowers others with its strength. It can move items with a mass that’s 1,141 times heavier than itself, which is equivalent to a human pulling 180,000 pounds. Researchers explain that males need to be tough enough to fight off rivals who would try to pull them out of the holes they go into in order to mate with females.
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The Giant Water Bug is four inches long and can be mistaken for a cockroach. They thrive near slow-moving water where they can eat tadpoles and small fish. The small, round sacs on the back of the male water bug are eggs; the female water bug lays them on his back, secreting a gluey liquid to attach them, and the male carries them until they hatch.
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The Atlas Moth has the biggest wing surface of the moth family, with many having more than 62 square inches of wing. They are found primarily in Southeast Asia, where residents rely on their silk. The Atlas moth’s silk comes out in broken pieces, but it’s also considered a sturdier substance.
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The Goliath bird-eating spider is a massive arachnid that falls under the category of “bugs”. Although it is about the size of a dinner plate, it does not pose much harm to humans. However, it is a threat to small creatures such as frogs, lizards, small snakes, and even baby birds as the spider uses its venomous fangs to incapacitate its prey and then spits digestive juices to consume it. Extreme Science explains that all that remains after the spider has had its meal are bones, skin, fur, and/or feathers. Animal Planet has more astonishing images of the Goliath bird-eating spider.
FAQ
1. What is the biggest bug on Earth?
The biggest bug on Earth is the Goliath beetle, which can grow up to 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long and weigh up to 100 grams (3.5 ounces). They are found in tropical forests in Africa and are known for their striking black and white markings.
2. What is the biggest moth on Earth?
The biggest moth on Earth is the Atlas moth, which has a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters (1 foot). They are found in Southeast Asia and are known for their beautiful patterns and colors.
3. What is the biggest spider on Earth?
The biggest spider on Earth is the Goliath bird-eating spider, which can have a leg span of up to 30 centimeters (1 foot). They are found in South America and are known for their impressive size and ability to eat birds.
4. What is the biggest ant on Earth?
The biggest ant on Earth is the driver ant, which can grow up to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. They are found in Africa and are known for their aggressive behavior and large colonies.
5. What is the biggest cockroach on Earth?
The biggest cockroach on Earth is the Australian giant burrowing cockroach, which can grow up to 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) long. They are found in Australia and are known for their burrowing behavior and ability to survive in harsh environments.
6. What is the biggest centipede on Earth?
The biggest centipede on Earth is the Amazonian giant centipede, which can grow up to 30 centimeters (1 foot) long. They are found in South America and are known for their venomous bite.
7. What is the biggest beetle on Earth?
The biggest beetle on Earth is the Hercules beetle, which can grow up to 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) long. They are found in tropical forests in Central and South America and are known for their impressive horns.
8. What is the biggest grasshopper on Earth?
The biggest grasshopper on Earth is the giant lubber grasshopper, which can grow up to 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long. They are found in North and Central America and are known for their bright colors and slow movement.
9. What is the biggest bee on Earth?
The biggest bee on Earth is the Wallace’s giant bee, which can grow up to 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) long. They are found in Indonesia and are known for their impressive size and rarity.
10. What is the biggest butterfly on Earth?
The biggest butterfly on Earth is the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, which has a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters (1 foot). They are found in Papua New Guinea and are known for their stunning colors and patterns.
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