Giant Weta
There are 11 different species of Giant Weta, the majority of which are much bigger than other weta, despite the fact that other weta are already considered to be rather huge compared to other insects. Large species may reach a maximum length of 10 centimetres (not including their legs and antennae), although their body masses typically do not exceed 35 grammes. One female specimen that was kept in captivity weighed around 70 grammes, making it one of the biggest reported insects in the world and making it heavier than a sparrow. In comparison to ordinary Weta, Giant Weta are often more reclusive and uninterested in social interaction. They are mostly found on the offshore islands of New Zealand since they have almost become extinct on the islands that are part of the mainland due to the introduction of mammalian pests.
Stag Beetles
There are around 1,200 different species of beetles that belong to the family Lucanidae. These beetles are now organised into four different subfamilies. However, the majority of species only reach a maximum height of around 5 centimetres (cm). In a manner that is analogous to the way that stags compete for the attention of females, male stag beetles use their jaws to grapple with one another for preferred mating locations. Fights may sometimes break out over food, including the sap from trees and rotting fruit. In spite of the fact that they often give off an intimidating image, they are typically not hostile toward people. Female stag beetles are often smaller than their male counterparts, and their mandibles are also typically shorter. Female larvae may be differentiated from male larvae by the presence of cream-colored, fatty ovaries that protrude through the skin about two thirds of the way down the back of the larva.
The Goliath Beetles
When it comes to size, mass, and weight, the Goliath Beetle is among the biggest insects that can be found on Earth. These beetles were called after the legendary giant Goliath. There are several tropical woods in Africa that are home to Goliath beetles. These beetles feed mostly on the tree sap and fruit present in these forests. It seems that very little is known about the larval cycle that occurs in the wild; nevertheless, Goliath beetles have been successfully grown from the egg to the adult stage in captivity by feeding them protein-rich meals such as commercial cat and dog food. Adult Goliath beetles range in length from 60–110 millimetres for males and 50–80 millimetres for females. Goliath beetles may weigh up to 80–100 grammes while they are in the larval stage, but the adults are only about half as heavy as the larvae.
The Giant Walking Stick
The Giant Walking Stick is among the walking sticks that are known to be the longest. The mature female measures nearly 15 inches across when her forelegs are fully extended. There are about 2,500 species in the world that are closely related to one another, but some of them appear more like leaves than sticks. Nearly majority of them use camouflage in order to avoid being eaten by animals that eat insects.
Female Queen Alexandra’s Birdwings
The female Queen Alexandra’s Birdwings are far bigger than their male counterparts, and their wings are noticeably roundeder and wider. The female may grow to have a large wing spread of up to 31 centimetres, a body length of up to 8 centimetres (3.2 inches), and a body mass of up to 12 grammes, all of which are remarkable achievements for a butterfly. The female has brown wings with white markings and a cream-colored body with a little piece of red fur on her thorax. She also has a red stripe running down the middle of her back. Males are smaller than females, with brown wings that contain iridescent blue and green patterns, and a bright yellow abdomen. Males also have a different pattern on their wings. The males have a wing span of nearly 20 centimetres, however it is most often around 16 centimetres. The male may also come in a magnificent version known as atavus, which is distinguished by the presence of gold spots on the hind wings. The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is able to defend itself using a poison that is derived from a pipevine plant. This poison is consumed by the animal when it is in the caterpillar stage; as an adult, it exclusively feeds on the liquids and nectars of plants.
The Titan beetle
The Titan beetle, also known as Titanus giganteus, is not only the beetle species in the Amazon rainforest that is the largest known specimen, but it is also one of the longest bug species in the world. The Titan Beetle is the lone member of its own genus, which it shares with no other insect. In the rain forests of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, the Guianas, and north-central Brazil, it is most usually harvested with the use of mercury-vapor lights, which are what attract the males of the species. This species is known to exist. The maximum length attained by an adult is 6.5 inches. It is reported that their mandibles are so strong that they can break pencils in two as well as cut through human flesh. Titan beetle adults do not consume food; instead, they merely fly about in search of partners. After the sun has set, they are drawn to the brilliant lights.
Dung Beetles
Beetles known as dung beetles consume either some or all of their food in the form of excrement. Dung beetles, sometimes known as rollers, are well-known for their ability to roll dung into spherical balls, which may either be utilised as a food source or as a place to brood young. Dung beetles that are referred to as tunnelers are the ones that bury dung wherever they discover it. The third classification, known as the dwellers, does not roll nor burrow; rather, they just inhabit dung. They are often drawn to the piles of faeces that burrowing owls accumulate. Dung beetles may be found in a wide variety of environments, including grasslands, forests, agricultural fields, and deserts. They do not like weather that is either exceedingly cold or highly dry. They are not found in Antarctica but may be found on the other continents.
The Giant Water Bug
One of the biggest insects native to the United States and Canada is called the Giant Water Bug. The length of giant water bugs is roughly 1 and a half inches. There are several species that may reach a length of 4 inches. It is also one of the most often inquired about insects. This is likely due to the fact that it may be found beneath porch lights and street lights. It is very easy to have this insect confused with a beetle or even a cockroach. Other names for them include toe biter and electric light bug due to the fact that they are drawn to lights and may inflict a painful bite. Toe biter is a more common term. Giant Water Bugs like areas of water with a sluggish current, particularly those that include emergent vegetation such as cattails. In most cases, they will take hold of a plant that is quite close to the surface, and then they will raise their small breathing tube above the water so that they may breathe while they wait for prey.
The Atlas Moth
The Atlas Moth, scientifically known as Attacus atlas, is a huge saturniid moth that is prevalent all across the Malay Archipelago. It may be found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. In terms of the entire area of their wings, atlas moths are regarded as the biggest moths that can be found anywhere in the globe. Their wingspans, which range from 25 to 30 centimetres, are also among the biggest. Females are appreciably larger and heavier. It is stated that Atlas moths got their name either from the Titan Atlas from Greek mythology or from the map-like markings on their wings. It is not quite apparent what these spectacular gateways made of gossamer do, although it is believed that they have something to do with avoiding dangerous animals. The size of their heads and bodies is excessively tiny in comparison to the size of their wings. Male Atlas moths are differentiated from females by their smaller size, wings that are more narrowly pointed, and antennae that are bigger and bushier. Because neither sex has completely developed mouth parts, they do not consume any food throughout their brief adulthood of one to two weeks. Instead, they subsist only on the larval fat stores they accumulate while they are still caterpillars.
The Goliath Bird-eater Spider
It is generally agreed that the Goliath Bird-eater Spider holds the title as the world’s second biggest spider (by leg-span). The name of the spider comes from accounts written by Victorian-era explorers who claimed to have seen the creature consume a hummingbird in its natural habitat.
