The World’s Largest Bugs Are Terrifyingly Cool

There are plenty of large bugs on the planet for scientists to study (and for us to shudder about!).

The largest insect that ever existed was the Griffinfly, a dragonfly with a wingspan of 2.5 feet and frighteningly big mandibles. They lived during the Paleozoic Era roughly 250 million years ago and are thankfully now extinct.

However, there are still plenty of giant bugs on the planet today for scientists to study (and for us to shudder about!). Here’s a list of the 25 biggest bugs on Earth, but bear in mind that “biggest” has a different meaning for everyone when considering which insect is the longest, widest or heaviest.

25. Bulldog Ant

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Length: 0.31-1.57 inches

Found in: Australia

What Makes the Bulldog Ant Terrifyingly Large

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The Bulldog Ant is known for its large mandibles and large eyes with excellent vision. They are highly aggressive insects that sting their prey with poisonous venom that can cause allergic reactions in some humans.

It takes several months for an egg to mature into an ant. Although the larvae are carnivorous, they live on plant nectar once they’ve reached the adult stage. Many species of the ant are active in the warmer months but remain dormant during winter.

22. Australian Giant Earwig (Tie)

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Length: 2 inches

Found in: Australia

What Makes the Australian Giant Earwig Terrifyingly Large

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The Saint Helena Earwig was once the largest in the species at 3.3 inches in length but is now considered extinct. The Australian Giant Earwig is currently the largest in existence.

They are distinguishable by their pincer-like forceps at the end of their abdomen. They can be winged or wingless, and the females are generally smaller than the males. Earwigs live mostly in moist environments and are usually nocturnal insects.

22. Proboscidoplocia Mayfly (Tie)

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Length: 2 inches

Found in: Madagascar

What Makes the Proboscidoplocia Mayfly Terrifyingly Large

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Along with dragonflies, the mayfly is one of the oldest flying insects in history. The largest mayflies live in Madagascar, where more than 200 species have been found.

The larvae thrive in freshwater streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, and once they reach adulthood, they’re known for swarming over these areas at night.

22. Tarantula Hawk (Tie)

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Length:2 inches

Found in: India, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Americas

What Makes the Tarantula Hawk Terrifyingly Large

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Tarantula Hawks are actually enormous wasps that prey upon tarantulas. With legs that have hooks on the ends and a stinger as long as a third of an inch, these insects deliver a powerful punch when they sting their victims.

They paralyze tarantulas and return them to the nest to lay eggs inside them as a food source for larvae. Although these wasps deliver one of the most painful stings of any insect in the world, the Tarantula Hawk is usually docile unless provoked.

21. Dorylus Helvolus Ant

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Length: 2-2.4 inches

Found in: Africa and Asia

What Makes the Dorylus Helvolus Ant Terrifyingly Large

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Also known as Driver Ants or Safari Ants, these insects dig underground holes for inhabiting for a few days or up to three months. Their colonies are enormous compared to other ant colonies — some containing as many as 20 million ants.

With oversized heads and sharp mandibles, these ants can sting but rarely do, preferring to use their scissor-like jaws. Female Driver Ants are the most giant living ants known, some reaching 2.4 inches in body length.

20. Giant Salmonfly

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Length: 2-3 inches

Found in: Western North America

What Makes the Giant Salmonfly Terrifyingly Large

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Among the largest fly species, these insects have larvae that grow up to 2 inches, and once hatched, some adult flies can grow to 3 inches. Nymphs live as long as three to four years, depending on water temperatures and elevation.

They hatch in late May to early July and live by freshwater streams and rivers. The Giant Salmon fly is a favorite among fishermen to use as bait.

19. Hercules Beetle

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Length: 2-3.3 inches

Found in: Rainforests of Central America, South America and The Lesser Antilles

What Makes the Hercules Beetle Terrifyingly Large

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One of the largest flying insects in the world, the Hercules Beetle (also known as a Rhinoceros Beetle), has massive horns that add another 4 inches of length to its roughly 2.5-inch body.

Only the males have the horns, which they use to fight other males over female mates. Some of the beetles are also capable of making a huffing sound to ward off predators. Adaptly named “Hercules,” these insects can carry 850 times their body mass.

18. Giant Burrowing Cockroach

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Length:3.3 inches

Found in: Australia

What Makes the Giant Burrowing Cockroach Terrifyingly Large

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Also known as the Queensland Giant Cockroach or the Rhinoceros cockroach, this insect is the world’s heaviest species of cockroach.

They feast on dead leaves and burrow underground to create a safe home. The Giant Burrowing Cockroach can live up to 10 years and is often sold as a pet in Brisbane.

17. Mydas Fly (Gauvomydas Heros)

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Length: 2.8-3.9 inches

Found in: Southern Brazil

What Makes the Mydas Fly Terrifyingly Large

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Mydas Flies are giant flies from the Mydidae family, which contains almost 500 different species. They are among the largest among the True Flies.

The Mydas Fly’s wingspan is as wide as a hand with a body the length of a human finger. Completely harmless, the male fly feeds off flowers while the female does not feed at all.

15. Giant Weta (Tie)

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Length: 4 inches

Found in: New Zealand

What Makes the Giant Weta Terrifyingly Large

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Wetas are gigantic bugs related to the cricket family. Some weigh as much as 2.5 ounces (in comparison, a sparrow weighs roughly 1.2 oz.), making them among the heaviest insects in the world.

Scientists believe that the Giant Weta species was around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

15. Goliath Beetle (Tie)

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Length: 4 inches

Found in: Africa

What Makes the Goliath Beetle Terrifyingly Large

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Based on weight, the Goliath Beetle is another one of the largest insects in the world. They’re even more extensive in their larvae stage, weighing as much as 3.5 ounces, which makes them the heaviest insect larvae on the planet.

Although the Goliath Beetle is primarily vegetarian, those that live in captivity as pets are known to eat cat and dog food.

14. Dobsonfly

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Length: 4.1 inches

Found in: Asia, Africa and The Americas

What Makes the Dobsonfly Terrifyingly Large

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With a wingspan of up to 8.5 inches, the Dobsonfly is the largest aquatic insect in the world. Their larvae can be found in streams with the adults living nearby the water.

These flies are active at night and attracted to lights. They are not a danger to people but will bite if provoked.

13. Macrotermas Bellicosus Termite

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Length: 4.2 inches

Found in: Africa and Southeast Asia

What Makes the Macrotermas Bellicosus Termite Terrifyingly Large

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The Macrotermas Bellicosus is the largest termite on the planet. The queen is always the largest, while the others are about a third of her size.

They are considered mound-building termites and have an intricate caste system that includes workers, soldiers and reproductives. Macrotermas Bellicosus is used to feed livestock but is also part of the diet for humans living in less-developed countries.

10. Dragonfly (Megaloprepus Caerulatus) (Tie)

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Length: 4.7 inches

Found in: Central and South America

What Makes This Dragonfly Species Terrifyingly Large

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These insects have enormous wingspans of up to 7.5 inches across (for the males), making them the largest dragonfly species in the world.

The Megaloprepus Caerulatus lives in the wet forest areas of central and South America and feeds off of orb-weaver spiders. The dark blue band across its wings gives it the appearance of a pulsing blue and white light.

10. Praying Mantis (Mantidae) (Tie)

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Length: 4.7 inches

Found in: Asia

What Makes This Praying Mantis Species Terrifyingly Large

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The largest in the family of praying mantises, the Mantidae has a triangular head, bulging eyes and enlarged forelegs for catching prey. They are easily camouflaged in foliage during the day but often come out at night to eat.

Smaller praying mantis’ eat moths and other insects, while the Mantidae can consume mice, lizards and frogs.

10. Giant Water Bug (Belostomatidae) (Tie)

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Length: 4.7 inches

Found in: South America, Africa, Asia

What Makes the Giant Water Bug Terrifyingly Large

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Also known as “Toe Biters” and “Alligator Tics,” some Giant Water Bugs reach the same length as the world’s most enormous beetles. They live in streams and ponds where they use their large pincers to trap prey and deliver a painful bite with poisonous saliva.

In parts of Southeast Asia, the bug is considered a delicacy and harvested for eating.

9. Actaeon Beetle

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Length: 5 inches

Found in: Amazon Rainforest of South America

What Makes the Actaeon Beetle Terrifyingly Large

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Reaching lengths of more than 5 inches and a thickness of 1.6 inches, the Actaeon Beetle has almost zero natural predators. This enormous beetle has a black matte or shiny dorsal surface and is shaped similar to a tank.

The heaviest one on record was found in South America in 2009 and weighed 8.04 ounces, roughly the same weight as a female rat.

8. Goliath Bird Eating Spider

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Length: 5.1 inches

Found in: Southern America

What Makes the Goliath Bird Eating Spider Terrifyingly Large

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Although these massive spiders typically do not eat birds, they are large enough to do so since most are the size of a dinner plate. Their prey of preference is mice, frogs, small rodents and invertebrates.

The Goliath Bird Eating Spider has poor eyesight and must rely on its body hair to get a sense of what is going on around them. If provoked, the spider shoots tiny, arrow-like hairs at its victim and then ejects them with venom from their 1-inch fangs. In some cultures, the spider is considered a delicacy and is eaten after being roasted over a fire.

The scary part? Even though it’s huge, there are far more dangerous spiders out there.

7. Tropidacris Grasshopper

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Length: 4.7-5.9 inches

Found in: Central and South America

What Makes the Tropidacris Grasshopper Terrifyingly Large

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At up to 5.9 inches in length and a wingspan of 9.1 inches, the Tropidacris is among the largest grasshoppers in the world. Although commonly known as the “Blue-Winged Grasshopper,” the insect comes in various colors and can be easily camouflaged in vegetation.

The Tropidacris gained quite a bit of attention when it landed on the arm of James Rodriguez after he scored a goal at the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

6. Titan Beetle

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Length: 6.6 inches

Found in: Amazon Rainforest of South America

What Makes the Titan Beetle Terrifyingly Large

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These massive beetles have mandibles that are strong enough to snap a pencil in half and are capable of cutting human flesh. In addition, the Titan Beetle makes a hissing sound when it’s threatened and will often bite.

Although the larvae have never been found, it is believed that they feed inside wood and take several years to pupate. Boreholes in decayed wood suggest that the larvae might be as giant as 2-inches wide and reach a length of 1 foot!

5. Megaloblatta Longipennis Cockroach

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Length: 3.8-7.9 inches

Found in: South and Central America

What Makes the Megaloblatta Longipennis Cockroach Terrifyingly Large

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This hearty cockroach resides mainly in Peru, Ecuador and Panama. It is the largest cockroach in the world, with a wingspan of 8 inches.

Megablottas use stridulation (rubbing body parts together to create a warning sound such as hissing or clacking) to keep their predators away.

4. Giant Wood Moth

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Length: 9 inches

Found in: Australia

What Makes the Giant Wood Moth Terrifyingly Large

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The heaviest moth globally, the Giant Wood Moth from Australia is rarely seen by humans. This is mostly because they have a short life cycle of only a few days, dying after they mate or lay eggs.

The larvae, known as witchetty grubs, burrow inside eucalyptus trees for a year before becoming a caterpillar. They feed on the tree’s roots and then emerge as a supersized moth.

3. Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

Colorful Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly

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Length: 9.8-11 inches

Found in: Papua New Guinea

What Makes the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Terrifyingly Large

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Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, with a wingspan of over 1 foot (the females are the largest). These rare butterflies were discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1905 and are now considered endangered.

Large sections of the forests where Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing live are cut down to make room for oil palm, cocoa and rubber plantations.

2. Atlas Moth

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Length: 1 foot

Found in: Southeast Asia

What Makes the Atlas Moth Terrifyingly Large

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These bird-sized insects are considered the most giant moths globally by total mass, including a wing surface of over 1 foot in length. Caterpillars can be as big as 5 inches and weigh 2 ounces.

Residents in Southeast Asia rely on the Atlas Moth’s sturdy silk and, in some areas, use the giant cocoons as change purses!

1. Giant Stick Bug

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Length: 2 feet

Found in: Southeast Asia

What Makes the Giant Stick Bug Terrifyingly Large

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The longest bug on the planet, the Giant Stick Bug can hide from its predators by blending in with branches and twigs. Some can even release a smelly spray to ward off predators!

In addition, they are adept at hiding under plants during the day and come out at night to eat leaves. Overall, they’re harmless insects that are also kept as pets in areas of South Asia.