The World's Biggest Insects

Giant Weta

Native to New Zealand, the giant weta got its name from a Maori word meaning, appropriately, "god of bad looks."

The weta can grow up to 4 inches long (not including legs and antennae) and weigh up to 2.5 ounces, making it among the heaviest insects in the world. More than 70 species of wetas can be found in New Zealand. 16 of them are endangered.

Titan Beetle

The most gigantic of the longhorn beetle species, the Titan giganteus dwells in the Amazon rainforest and can grow up to a whopping 6.5 inches long. The beetle has become a tourist draw in some South American countries. Certain tour operators even promote sightings of the massive bug.

Hercules Beetle

The Hercules beetle looks a bit like a rhinoceros, with males sporting two enormous horns. Native to Central and South America, these beetles can measure more than 6 inches long.

While they're not the world's biggest beetle species, they are the strongest, and can lift up to 850 times their own weight. 

Freaky fact: during mating season, males have been seen using their horns to pick up foes, then slamming them down to break their heads. Ouch.

Atlas Moth

Native to Southeast Asia, the atlas moth doesn't have the widest wingspan of all moths, but it does have the largest wing surface. Its wings can measure more than 62 square inches. 

Goliath Birdeater Spider

Found throughout South America, the goliath birdeater spider (actually an arachnid, not an insect, but so large we wanted to give it a mention) can grow as big as 10 inches across. As its name suggests, it actually eats small birds, as well as lizards, frogs and snakes. It poisons its prey with its venom, then spits digestive juices on it and gulps down the softened mass. Yum.

Female birdeaters have even been known to eat male birdeaters after mating with them.

Giant Long-Legged Katydid

The giant katydid is the largest species of katydids in the world, growing up to 6 inches long. These gentle giants have a leaf-like appearance and can be found mostly in Malaysia, where they use their long antennae to find mates and hunt for bugs.

Odd fact: males are believed to have the largest testes of any animal on Earth in relation to body size: Theirs account for 14 percent of their total weight.

Queen Alexandra Birdwing Butterfly

If you see one of these New Guinean butterflies zip past your head, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a bird. These creatures can have a wingspan up to a foot, making them the world's largest butterflies.

Giant Burrowing Cockroach

Also known as a rhinoceros cockroach, the giant burrowing cockroach can be found in tropical areas of Australia. They're the heaviest cockroach species in the world, weighing up to 1.2 ounces and growing to more than 3 inches long. They really do burrow, often digging as deep as three feet into the earth to make a home. 

Giant Walking Stick

The planet's longest insect, the giant walking stick has a lithe body that serves as its camouflage; it resembles the branches and leaves of the trees where it resides. They're found in temperate zones and tropical regions. Females are larger than males and can grow up to 21 inches long.

Giant Water Bug

Resembling a massive cockroach, the giant water bug can grow up to 4 inches long. The creatures are found across the globe. In Thailand, they're a popular street food.

Deep-fried water bugs, anyone?

Interestingly, female water bugs lay their eggs on the backs of males, who carry the eggs until they're ready to hatch.

Goliath Beetle

Named after the Biblical giant, the goliath beetle is a type of scarab beetle. It  can grow up to 4.5 inches long and weigh up to 3.5 ounces. They're typically found in tropical African forests. Based on weight and bulk, they're among the largest insects on Earth.