We are already accustomed to tiny insects in the world around us. But how are we wrong, because our neighbors on the planet have something to surprise us with. Many insects can amaze us not only with an interesting color or complex structure, but with very impressive dimensions. And today we will meet the largest beetles.
The biggest beetles of our planet:
1
Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus)
We begin our acquaintance with a very amazing representative - a stag beetle. It got its name, of course, due to the size of antlers similar to deer. Its sizes are from 8 to 10 centimeters (including horns) in males. Females are much smaller and often have no horns at all.
Unusual appearance makes these beetles a desirable prey for collectors, which, in turn, leads to a sharp reduction in the population. In many countries, stag beetles are protected by law.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru you can find out about beautiful animals that are on the verge of extinction.
2
Goliath Beetle (Goliathus)
This beetle rightfully bears the title of heavyweight. Goliath lives in Central and Southeast Africa, the basis of its diet are fruits and tree sap. An adult reaches 12 centimeters in length, and weighs about 80-100 grams.
Surprisingly, during the flight, the elytra does not open in this species, which does not interfere with the quality of movement in the air.
3
Big Tooth Olenorogy (Macrodontia cervicornis)
The length of the largest beetle, caught at the moment, is almost 17 centimeters! And this is without taking into account the antennae!
The insect has a dark color: from black to burgundy. The wings are yellowish-brown, and on the elytra, as a rule, there are drawings and patterns very similar to complex labyrinths.
Do not miss, there is also a very interesting article on the smallest insects in the world on our site thebiggest.ru.
4
Lumberjack Titanus (Titanus giganteus)
The largest beetle known to science is the Titan woodcutter. Its body can reach a length of 20 centimeters, and as many mustaches!
Despite its large size, it is one of the rarest and least studied. A meeting with a woodcutter Titan is a real success for an entomologist.
At the moment, it has been established that the adult beetle lives about 3-5 weeks. All this time is occupied by marriage rites.
It is unique in its kind, that is, it does not have related types, which makes it truly unique.
5
Ussuri relic barbel (Callipogon relictus)
In Russia, this representative of the winged wing detachment is listed in the Red Book as a species that is declining in number. It is also found in China, the DPRK, and South Korea.
Adult females have a body length of about 9 centimeters, males are 2-3 cm larger. For the development of larvae, longhorn beetles choose old, completely dried trees. Unfortunately, frequent deforestation and “sanitation” of forests lead to a sharp decline in the population of these insects.
6
Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas)
The representative of the tropical flora living in Central and South America will continue our list on thebiggest.ru. Males reach 12 centimeters in length and have outgrowths resembling tusks of elephants or mammoths on their heads. Hence the name came from. On the head of the male there is also an additional horn bent upwards, which is used as a weapon in the battle for food and during the struggle for the female’s attention.
The beetle mainly leads a nocturnal lifestyle, eating fruits, mainly pineapples and bananas.
7
Giant Ueta (Deinacrida heteracantha)
One of the rare cases when the size records belong to female beetles, which can have a body 10 centimeters long, and their weight reaches 71 grams.
Ueta - includes more than 100 species of insects, each of which is incredibly large. Beetles are adapted for practical life in any climatic conditions, however, most of their species are found in New Zealand.
Almost all of Wet are wingless. To protect their bodies are covered with many spikes of various sizes.
8
Caucasian Beetle or Giant Beetle Atlas (Chalcosoma atlas)
These bugs are found most often in Southeast Asia, Malaysia. Male body length reaches 13 centimeters and, unlike females, have a small horn and a pair of outgrowths on the back.
This is one of the largest beetles in the world and got its name in honor of the mighty ancient Greek deity.
9
Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules)
The average body length reaches an average of 14 centimeters, however, individuals with a body length of more than 17 centimeters are found. Among his own kind is a champion in wingspan (up to 22 cm).
It lives in Central and South America and on the islands of the Caribbean during the entire wet season. A distinctive feature are two curved horns, covered with small red hairs.
10
Giant stick (Dryococelus australis)
A rare, long time, considered extinct, insect, the longest on the planet. In the rainforest on Borneo, the longest representative was found by a Chinese scientist, and reached 57 centimeters.
The sticks live on fairly tall trees, the juice of which they feed. Their excellent camouflage under the branches helps them successfully hide not only from enemies, but also from the eyes of curious scientists.
11
Water bug (Belostomatidae)
The highest prevalence of these predatory insects in South America and East Asia. They are 11–13 centimeters long and, together with a rather large weight for insects, are among the largest beetles on the planet.
Small fish and crustaceans are included in the diet of bugs, but these insects themselves, for example in Thailand, are considered a delicacy. Surprisingly, males carry masonry on their backs.
12
Digger (Geotrupes puncticollis)
One of the most useful bugs in soil formation. They have an oval body color from bright yellow to brown and even black. Adult beetles get food from the litter of large animals, hence the specific name, however, there are subspecies that do not feed at all.
In nature, there are about 600 species of dung beetles, of which only 20 are found in Russia.
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Output
The flora and fauna of our planet never ceases to amaze. We can only study and take care of every living creature. TheBiggest.ru editors are waiting for your comments. What big bugs from our list impressed you the most.
Author: Olesya Shcherbakova