What’s The Biggest Bug in The World?

If you think that the bugs that you find crawling around your home are creepy and gross, you may want to be thankful you haven’t come across some of the creatures we are going to discuss. 

Our cockroaches and stink bugs have nothing on some of the colossal insects that can be found all over the world. These bugs are definitely large and in charge. 

However, it can be very hard to determine which bug is exactly the “biggest” bug in the world because some of them can be lengthy and some of them can be very hefty. But don’t worry, we are going to gift you with a little bit of information on some of the biggest bugs in the world. 

The Giant Weta

The Giant Weta is definitely one of the biggest bugs in the world. It is the world’s heaviest insect. Weighing more than 2.5 ounces. That is bigger than some birds and mice!

Lucky for us, this giant insect doesn’t grace the shores of the U.S. It is native to New Zealand, and they have been dealing with them for a good while since they have been around for 190 million years. 

They are a type of cricket, which when you imagine their size can be scary to think about. But don’t worry they are actually flightless. And their population is actually in decline in New Zealand, so some populations are now under the protection of the government and being bred in captivity to keep their species from going extinct.

Stick-Insect (Pharnacia Serratipes)

If you are looking for the biggest bug in the world in terms of length, then look no further than the stick insect. These bugs can be up to 2 feet in length. And while this can seem pretty intimidating, you don’t have to worry too much about these creatures as they are harmless to humans. Some people even enjoy keeping these interesting creatures as pets. 

Stick insects can be found on pretty much every continent other than Antarctica. However, the larger species of this insect have been found in countries like China and Vietnam. 

As their name suggests, they utilize their looks to blend into their environment to stay safe from their predators. And chances are you may have passed a few in your life and might have not even noticed. 

Dung Beetle

Since we are talking about the biggest insects, we thought we would mention strength. Because like we mentioned earlier some of these creatures are definitely mighty! And the dung beetle is one of these.

While it may not be the largest beetle in the world, it is definitely the strongest. This insect at a mere 10 millimeters long, the beetle can pull up to 1141 times its own body weight. That is the same as an average man lifting two fully loaded 18-wheeler trucks. And we are telling you that’s not happening. 

But what are they using this crazy strength for? Well, they eat the feces of other living creatures-hints their name. They use their strength to collect large balls of dung and transport them to their nest to help feed their young. Sounds gross, but they are very skilled at it. 

And Dung beetles can be found in nearly every habitat and continent. Just like stick insects, the only continent these pests cannot be found on is Antarctica.

Giant Water Bugs

Our last insect is not only one of the biggest bugs in the world, but it is the biggest bug in North America. We are talking about Giant Water Bugs. If you haven’t heard of them before maybe you have heard of them referred to as electric light bugs, toe biters, Indian toe biters, alligator fleas, or alligator ticks

These bugs can grow up to 4.5 inches in the United States and Canada. This insect is generally found in freshwater ponds, slow-moving ponds, and marshes.  Because of their appearance, sometimes they can be confused with a cockroach, but they are not similar at all. These bugs can swim and prey on things like fish, snakes, and even turtles. 

And while a cockroach can bite, a giant water bug bite is considered to be one of the most painful insect bites. Most times their bites do not require any medical attention unless the person is found to have an allergy. 

This would mean you are experiencing side effects such as vomiting, swelling around the bite, fever, or difficulty breathing. If this is the case, you should get medical attention as soon as possible. 

A giant water bug could happen to make its way onto your property, especially if you live near the water. It is found in North America. And no one wants to have a pest like this lurking around their home. So if you do find yourself with one of these giant bugs, it is best to contact your local pest control expert to get rid of them for good!

Call us for Help

Luckily you don’t have to worry about a majority of these enormous pests making their way into your home. But a few of them could try to wriggle their way in. 

So, if you find yourself with a colossal pest problem, give Kapture a call and we can get rid of it quickly.  And if you have any pest questions, big or small, don’t hesitate to give us a call, we always offer free phone consultations.