13 Giant Bugs That Could Overshadow Your Patio Furniture
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Picture this: The grill hissing away, soft nature surrounding you, you’re on your patio sipping a cold beverage, relaxing. Suddenly a massive shadow appears above your setup, but it’s not a plane, or a bird, it’s a massive bug. Larger than life insects? That sounds like something from a sci-fi thriller, but these do exist.
They are often rare, or limited to a certain region, but they are awe inspiring, sometimes a little frightening. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s biggest bugs, one jaw dropping species at a time.
Goliath Beetle
At up to around 4.3 inches in length, the Goliath beetle is one of the heaviest insects. True, these beetles are impressive and bulky. Their size and appetite are matched and they have very sturdy shells that look like they’re wearing an armor. On first glance, they may appear scary, but they can be quite docile and very commonly are in exotic pet collections.
Giant Weta
The giant weta of New Zealand is native to the island, and can grow to the size of a small bird and tip the scales at more than 2.5 ounces. These flightless insects might look like something out of a horror movie, but they’re harmless vegetarians, with a fondness for leaves and fruits. If you were walking through New Zealand and happen to find one, don’t stress, they’re a local treasure for their unique biodiversity.
Hercules Beetle
Hercules beetle may be one of the largest beetles around, with about 7 inches long and impressive horns. These giants, from Central and South America, use their horns to battle rival, not on any dangerous mission to hurt humans. They are called Hercules because of their huge size and strength, but they just go about their business in the forest.
Atlas Moth
You might think the atlas moth is one of those drab fluttery bugs we call moths? Well, you’ll want to think again. The Atlas moth, from Southeast Asia, has a nearly foot wingspan which is almost as big as a dinner plate. Its wings have snake head like patterns to prevent predators. Fun fact: It may be big, but as an adult, it doesn’t eat much, it lives off energy it stored as a caterpillar.
Giant Water Bug
North and South America are home to these water bugs, which also referred to as ‘toe biters.’ They aren’t aggressive, unless provoked, and can grow up to four inches and give a nasty bite. They’re stealthy predators who feed on fish, amphibians and even snakes. If you are an avid fisherman, or if you just like to spend a day wading through freshwater, you may just get lucky and see one.
Titan Beetle
At 6.5 in long, the Titan beetle comes from the Amazon rainforest. They have no mercy with their intimidating mandibles; snapping in half small twigs. Although Titan beetles look fierce, they are for the most part harmless to humans. The beetle is heard more often than it is seen and draws attention on humid Amazonian nights with its loud buzzing.
Walking Stick Insect
The walking stick insects can grow up to 22 inches long, and are the longest insects in the world. Their uncanny resemblance to twigs is their best defense against predators and they are native to tropical regions. Researchers say they once measured a particularly long specimen at nearly two feet, an indication of nature’s creative genius.
Giant Huntsman Spider
The giant huntsman spider, which is not, technically, an insect, is also worthy of a place here. As the largest spider by diameter found in Laos, it has a leg span up to 12 inches. They are fast and agile, but they generally like to skedaddle from humans, not toward them.
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing
According to the Guinness World Record, the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is officially the world’s largest butterfly. It has a wingspan up to 11 inches and is found in Papua New Guinea where its colorful and graceful flight attracts attention. But these butterflies are becoming rarer, and remind us of how important it is to conserve.
Megaloblatta Cockroach
You might already hate cockroaches, but what if they had a 4 inch body and an 8 inch wingspan? One example of that is the Megaloblatta cockroach, which is native to Central and South America. Luckily, they’re nocturnal and hardly ever go into human space. But if you’re in their territory, you may see one scuttling around at night.
Giant Burrowing Cockroach
Rhino roaches are one of Australia’s giant burrowing cockroaches, the heaviest cockroach species weighing an ounce or more and up to 3 inches long. Yet, they’re very gentle, and some enthusiasts even keep them as pets. These roaches don’t invade homes as pests, instead they live peacefully underground munching on leaf litter.
Tarantula Hawk
The entomologist Justin Schmidt named this wasp one of the most painful stingers in the insect world on his famed pain index: it can grow to 2 inches and pack a painful sting. Tarantula hawks are found in the Americas and paralyze tarantulas by using its venom, before laying its eggs on them. Though their sting will make you wince, these wasps rarely sting humans unless provoked.
Giant Isopod
Last but not least, but certainly not the least in nastiness, we have the giant isopod, an underwater cousin to the pill bug. The deep sea crustaceans can grow to over a foot long. You won’t see them by your patio, but they are alien-like enough to mention. Their home is in the ocean’s depths, where they determine to survive.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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