The world of bugs and insects can be fascinating but also scary. We’re usually okay dealing with small bugs, but most people prefer if the bigger ones stay far away. And by “far away,” we mean “stay where I can see you but give me enough space to run away if you move.” But since you’re reading this article, you’re probably someone who doesn’t mind creepy creatures and is excited to learn about big bugs.
Just so you know, some of these bugs might be too scary for some people. Consider yourself warned.
Goliath Beetle
If you ever come across one of these bugs in the African rainforests, you’ll see why it’s called the goliath beetle. It can grow up to 10 cm in size, but mostly they just do their own thing, eating tree sap and fruit all day. It seems like they have a pretty healthy diet!
Tarantula Hawk Wasp
Even though this wasp isn’t as large as some of the other animals mentioned here, at just 5 cm in size, it still deserves a spot on the list. It’s the biggest wasp and gets its name because it actually hunts and kills tarantulas. This little lady paralyzes its prey, lays a single egg inside it, and then lets the larva eat the victim.
Atlas Beetle
This type of rhinoceros beetle, which is about 13 cm long, lives in Indonesia. Like all rhino beetles, it can be quite feisty and aggressive if you encounter one. Its name comes from its mandibles, which look like they could hold up the sky, similar to Atlas from ancient stories.
Macrodontia cervicornis
This big beetle can grow up to 17 cm long and might accompany you on a hike through the rainforests of South America. Its mandibles look like they could chop off a finger, so you probably don’t want to touch it if you come across one. I’m not sure if these beetles actually eat fingers, but do we really want to take that risk?
Giant Water Bug
I understand, I thought it would have a cooler name too. But its simple name makes it clear: this bug lives in water and is huge. It can grow up to 12 cm long and is also called a “toe biter” because it might nip at your toes if you get too close to it.
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing
Butterflies don’t usually frighten people, but this one has huge wings that span 25 cm. If you see this colorful butterfly flying towards you in eastern Papua New Guinea, it’s okay to feel scared and want to run away. Just be careful not to swat it, because it’s endangered.
Phryganistria chinensis Zhao
This amazing creature, even though it’s the biggest on this list by far, was only found in 2016. It’s a type of stick insect that can reach up to 62 cm long. When it was found, even the smallest babies were over 25 cm long. So far, it’s only been seen in China, particularly in the Guangxi Zhuang region.