List of largest insects

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Bojophlebia prokopi, Arachnacris tenuipes and Thysania agrippina

Megasoma actaeon, or goliath beetles, both of which can commonly exceed 50 g (1.8 oz) and 10 cm (3.9 in), can reach a greater weight.[2]

The longest insects are the

stick insects
, see below.

Representatives of the extinct dragonfly-like

Meganeuropsis permiana are the largest insect species ever known. These creatures had a wingspan of some 71 cm (28 in). Their maximum body mass is uncertain, with estimates varying between 34 g[3] and 210 g.[4]

Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)

Further information: Odonata

The largest wingspan of any living species of

damselflies) belongs to Megaloprepus caerulatus, reaching 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) in wingspan. Petalura ingentissima has the largest wingspan of any dragonfly at 165 mm (6.5 in), although Tetracanthagyna plagiata
comes in with a close second of 163 mm (6.4 in).

The largest wing surface area of any living species of odonate belongs to Chlorogomphus papilio, a damselfly.

The longest body length of any living species of odonate belongs to Mecistogaster lucretia with a body length of 155 mm (6.1 in).

The heaviest living species of odonate is probably either

Anax strenuus and Anotogaster sieboldii and other species in Petalura, Tetracanthagyna
, Anax and Anotogaster could also be contenders.

See also the extinct genera Meganeuropsis and Meganeura, although they are not certain to be included in the modern dragonfly order.

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera)

Further information:
Ephemeroptera

The largest mayflies are members of the genus Proboscidoplocia from Madagascar. These insects can reach a length of 5 cm (2.0 in).

Palaeodictyoptera (extinct)

Further information: Palaeodictyoptera

The largest insect of the order Palaeodictyoptera, Mazothairos enormis from the Carboniferous period, reached a wingspan of about 56 centimeters (22 in).[5]

Grasshoppers, crickets, and relatives (Orthoptera)

Further information: Orthoptera
Giant weta

Arachnacris katydids and Tropidacris grasshoppers reach up to 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in) in length and 23–27.5 cm (9.1–10.8 in) in wingspan, making them the largest by these measurements.[6][7] The largest Saga and Pseudophyllus bush crickets are only a few centimeters smaller.[7]

The heaviest of this widespread, varied complex of insects is the Little Barrier Island giant weta, Deinacrida heteracantha, of New Zealand; one specimen weighed 71 g (2.5 oz) and measured nearly 10 cm (3.9 in),[2] giving it one of the largest insects weights ever known. These heavyweight insects can be over 9 cm (3.5 in) long.[8]

Titanopterans (Titanoptera) (extinct)

Further information: Titanoptera

Related to modern orthopterans, Triassic insects of the extinct suborder of Titanoptera[9] surpassed them in size. The wingspan of Gigatitan vulgaris was as large as of 40 centimetres (16 in).[10] Clatrotitan andersoni also reached a huge size, having a forewing of 13.8 centimetres (5.4 in) long.[11]

Earwigs (Dermaptera)

Further information:
Dermaptera

The largest of the earwigs is the Saint Helena earwig (Labidura herculeana), which is up to 8.4 cm (3.3 in) in length. There are no recent records of this species and it is generally considered extinct.[12] The largest certainly living species is the Australian giant earwig (Titanolabis colossea), which is about 5 cm (2.0 in) long.[7]

Scorpionflies (Mecoptera)

Further information: Mecoptera

The largest scorpionfly, the

common scorpionfly (Panorpa communis), can reach a body length of about 30 mm (1.2 in).[13][full citation needed
]

Stick insects (Phasmatodea)

Further information: Phasmatodea
Phobaeticus serratipes, one of the longest stick insects
Distributions of stick insect species known to exceed 50 cm (20 in) in total length

The longest known

undescribed species of Phryganistria, informally referred to as Phryganistria "chinensis", that was discovered in China in 2014.[15] A wild collected female kept at the Insect Museum of West China in Chengdu was the record holder with a total length, including extended legs, of 62.4 cm (24.6 in), and a body length of 36.1 cm (14.2 in),[16][17] but it was surpassed by one of its captive bred young that reached 64 cm (25 in) in total length.[18][19]

Other very large species, formerly believed to be longest but now considered second longest is Phobaeticus chani; a specimen held in the Natural History Museum in London is 56.7 cm (22.3 in) in total length, including extended legs, and it has a body length of 35.7 cm (14.1 in).[20][21][22] Females of the Australian Ctenomorpha gargantua have been confirmed at up to 56.5 cm (22.2 in) in total length (including extended legs and cerci, the latter of which are unusually long in this species); one captive individual was measured at 61.5 cm (24.2 in), but that size remains unconfirmed.[23][24][25] Another very large species is Phobaeticus kirbyi where the total length (including extended legs) is up to 54.6 cm (21.5 in) and the body alone up to 32.8 cm (12.9 in).[26] Another of the longest insect in terms of total length is Phobaeticus serratipes of Malaysia and Singapore, measuring up to 55.5 cm (21.9 in) in total length.[27]

The spiny stick insect (

Heteropteryx dilatata) of Southeast Asia does not reach the extreme lengths of its cousins, the body reaching up to 16 cm (6.3 in) long, but it is much bulkier. The largest Heteropteryx weighed about 65 g (2.3 oz) and was 3.5 cm (1.4 in) wide across the thickest part of the body.[8]

Cockroaches and termites (Blattodea)

Further information: Blattodea
Giant burrowing cockroach

The largest

Princisia vanwaerebeki of Madagascar, which grows between 5.6 and 10 cm in length.[31] The heaviest is the Australian giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which can attain a length of 8.4 cm (3.3 in) and a weight of 33.5 g (1.18 oz).[6]

Termites

Further information: Termite

The largest of the termites is the African species Macrotermes bellicosus. The queen of this species can attain a length of 10.6 cm (4.2 in) and breadth of 5.5 cm (2.2 in); other adults, however, are about a third of this size.

Praying mantises (Mantodea)

Further information: Mantis

The giant stick mantises Toxodera maxima and Ischnomantis gigas can reach lengths of over 17 cm, but are more gracile in build than other large mantises. Other species of Toxodera and Ischnomantis, and other genera of “stick mantises” (Heterochaeta, Solygia and Tauromantis), can attain lengths almost as large (over 16 cm).

Mantises of the tribe

Hierodulini (of which Rhombodera fratricida is the largest formally described by science) can reach lengths of nearly 13 cm (5.1 in) and are more robust than comparably sized mantises of other genera (Tenodera, Macromantis, Idolomantis, Sphodromantis, Deroplatys, Plistospilota and Stagmatoptera
). Some larger species have been known to capture and consume frogs, lizards, mice, small birds, small fish and even small snakes.

True bugs (Hemiptera)

Further information: Hemiptera
Giant water bug
walking over land

The heaviest species of this diverse, huge order are the

giant water bugs Lethocerus grandis and Lethocerus maximus.[32] These can surpass a length of 12 cm (4.7 in),[33] although they are more slender and less heavy than most other insects of this size (principally the huge beetles
).

The largest wingspan of any

Tacua
can also grow to comparably large sizes.

The largest total length of any

water strider
), which has a leg span of more than 25 cm (9.8 in).

The largest type of aphid is the giant oak aphid (Stomaphis quercus), which can reach an overall length of 2 cm (0.79 in).[36] The biggest species of leafhopper is Ledromorpha planirostris, which can reach a length of 2.8 cm (1.1 in).[37]

Dobsonflies and relatives (Megaloptera)

Further information: Megaloptera

Megaloptera includes

alderflies and relatives. The largest is the dobsonfly Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi, which can have a wingspan of up to 21.6 cm (8.5 in), making it the largest aquatic insect in the world by this measurement.[38] This species is native to China and Vietnam, and its body can be up to 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long.[39]

Net-winged insects (Neuroptera)

Further information: Neuroptera
sedimentary rocks, Makarkinia adamsi had wings nearly 140–160 mm (5.5–6.3 in) in length.[43]

Lice (Phthiraptera)

Further information: Louse

These parasitic insects are typically modest in size. The largest known species is the hog louse, Haematopinus suis, a sucking louse that lives on large livestock like pigs and cattle. It can range up to 6 mm (0.24 in) in length.[44]

Stoneflies (Plecoptera)

Further information: Plecoptera
Pteronarcys californica

The largest species of

stonefly is Pteronarcys californica of western North America, a species favored by fishermen as lures. This species can attain a length of 5 cm (2.0 in) and a wingspan of over 8 cm (3.1 in).[45]

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Further information:
Coleoptera
The hercules beetle, the world's longest beetle

Beetles constitute the most diverse order of organisms on earth, with about 400,000 species identified to this day. The most massive of them belong to the genera Goliathus, Megasoma, Chalcosoma, Titanus, Macrodontia, and Xixuthrus. The longest is the Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules, with a maximum overall length of at least 18.1 cm (7.1 in) including the very long pronotal horn. The longest overall beetle is a species of longhorn beetle, Batocera wallacei, from New Guinea, which can attain a length of 26.6 cm (10.5 in), about 19 cm (7.5 in) of which is comprised by the long antennae.[8]

Icebugs (Grylloblattodea)

Further information:
Grylloblattodea

The largest icebug species,

coxae and long femora.[46] Their antennae are long ~9 mm (0.35 in) and thread-like. In adults, the number of antennal subsegments is variable, ranging from 24 to 27.[47]

Ants, bees, and wasps (Hymenoptera)

Further information: Hymenoptera
Megachile pluto, the largest bee.

The largest of ants, and the heaviest species of the family, are the queens of Dorylus helvolus, reaching a length of 5 cm (2.0 in). The ant that averages the largest for the mean size of the whole colony is Dinoponera gigantea, averaging up to 3.3 cm (1+1⁄4 in). Another ant that is native to Australia, Myrmecia brevinoda, workers are reported to be 3.7 cm (1.5 in) on average and queens are more than 4 cm (1.6 in) in length.[8]

The largest of

bees is Megachile pluto
, the females of which can be 3.8 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long, with a 6.3-cm (2.5-in) wingspan.

The largest wingspan of any wasp is probably the so-called tarantula hawk species Pepsis heros, measuring up to 12.2 cm (4.8 in) in wingspan, although many other Pepsis species approach a similar size and other species of wasp can probably attain greater weights. The heaviest wasp is probably either the giant scoliid wasp Megascolia procer or the largest known social wasp, the queens of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). The former can reach a body length of over 6.5 cm (2.6 in) and a 9.9 cm (3.9 in) wingspan, and the latter a body length exceeding 6 cm (2.4 in) with a 9.3 cm (3.7 in) wingspan.[48]

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)

Further information: Lepidoptera
The Queen Alexandra's birdwing is the largest species of butterfly.

The largest lepidopteran species overall is often claimed to be either the

Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules), in the family Saturniidae, is endemic to New Guinea and northern Australia, and its wings have the largest documented surface area (300 square centimeters) of any living insect,[49][50]
and a maximum wingspan which is confirmed to 28 cm (11 in) while unconfirmed specimens have spanned up to 35.5 cm (14.0 in).

True flies (Diptera)

Further information:
Diptera
Gauromydas heros, the world's largest true fly

The species with the largest wingspan in this huge order is Gauromydas heros (although some species of Microstylum and Pantophthalmus can attain wingspans almost as large), which can reach a wingspan of 10 cm (3.9 in) and a length of 6 cm (2.4 in).[6] It is also a contender for the longest body length of any true fly, although it is rivaled by Microstylum magnum for this title.

The heaviest flies are undoubtedly the

timber flies from the genus Pantophthalmus
.

The largest total length of any fly belongs to the largest species of crane fly: Holorusia brobdignagia. If the legs are extended in front of and behind the body, then an overall length of 23 cm (9.1 in) makes it the longest true fly.[6]

Booklice (Psocoptera)

Further information: Psocoptera

The largest of this order of very small insects is the barklouse of the genus Psocus, the maximum size of which is about 1 cm (0.39 in).

Fleas (Siphonaptera)

Further information:
Siphonaptera

The largest species of flea is Hystrichopsylla schefferi. This parasite, known exclusively from the fur of the mountain beaver, can reach a length of 1.2 cm (0.47 in).[51]

Thrips (Thysanoptera)

Further information:
Thysanoptera

Members of the genus Phasmothrips are the largest thrips. The maximum size of these species is about 1.3 cm (0.51 in).

Caddisflies (Trichoptera)

Further information:
Trichoptera

The largest of the small, moth-like caddisflies is Eubasilissa maclachlani. This species can range up to 7 cm (2.8 in) across the wings.[52]

Silverfishes and allies (Zygentoma)

Further information: Zygentoma

These insects, known to feed on human household objects, are up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) in length.[53] The largest is the extinct Ramsdelepidion schusteri, which reached 6 cm (2.4 in) long.[4]

Angel insects (Zoraptera)

Further information: Zoraptera

The largest angel insect species,

Hubbard's angel insect (Zorotypus hubbardi), grows up to 3 mm (0.12 in) in length.[54][55]

See also

References

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  17. ^ "The discovery of the world's longest insect. Crawling "tree branches"". Google Arts and Culture. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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  20. ^ "World's longest insect revealed". London: Natural History Museum. 2008-10-16. Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  21. ^ Seow-Choen, F. (1995). "The longest insect in the world". Malayan Naturalist 48: 12.
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  24. ^ Dean, S. (15 February 2016). "Gargantuan Aussie stick insect has babies in a world first". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  25. ^ Cane, S. (10 March 2014). "Australia's biggest stick insect found". Australian National Geographic. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  26. ^ Brock, P. D. (1999). The amazing world of stick and leaf-insects. Essex, England: Cravitz.
  27. ^ Seow-Choen, F. (1995). "The longest insect in the world". Malayan Nat. 48: 12.
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  30. ^ Davis, Shkora (2015). "Blaberus giganteus (Giant Cave Cockroach)" (PDF). The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago.
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  37. ^ Ledromorpha planirostris. Bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au
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  48. ^ [1] Vespa mandarinia factsheet
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