The largest insect in the world
01, Titan Beetle
Physical characteristics: The titan beetle is the largest insect species in the world, growing up to 12 cm to 17 cm in adults, and 18 cm to 23 cm if the length of its antennae is included. Their bodies are brown or black in color, with uneven lines and potholes on the surface.
Habits and behavior: Titan beetles live in the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Guyana, Ecuador and north-central Brazil. Male titan beetles are usually attracted to mercury lamps. The jaw of a titan beetle can bite off a pencil or cut into human skin.
Habitat and distribution: The titan beetle lives in the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Guyana, Ecuador and north-central Brazil.
Conservation status: The titan beetle is rated as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List.
The world's most high-jumping insect
02. Blowing bubble worms
Physical characteristics: The bubble beetle is a very small insect, only 3-4 mm long. Their body is oval in shape, grey or brown, with strong hind legs and long antennae.
Habits and behavior: Bubble blowers feed on plants, and female bubble blowers usually lay their eggs on the stems of plants and use a foamy substance secreted by themselves to protect these offspring. This insect rarely flies and usually jumps between plants. The bubble blown worm is the strongest high jumper, capable of jumping 414 times its body weight.
Habitat and distribution: Blowworms are found throughout the world.
Conservation status: Bubble blowers are not listed as endangered species and are not currently under significant protection.
The loudest insect in the world
03. Cicada
Physical characteristics: The cicada has two pairs of membrane wings, basically the same shape, a broad and short head, and a prominently prominent frontal labial base. They have a grey or green body, usually with black spots, large, prominent compound eyes and long antennae.
Habits and behavior: Cicadas live in temperate to tropical regions of the world and are the loudest insects in the world. The male cicada will chirp, its pronunciator in the abdominal muscles, like a large drum covered with a layer of tympanic membrane, the eardrum is vibrated and makes sound, because the singing muscles can stretch about 10,000 times per second, the cover plate and the eardrum is empty, can play a resonant role, so its sound is particularly loud. And can take turns singing with a variety of different tones.
Habitat and distribution: Cicadas are found in temperate to tropical regions of the world, mainly living on trees.
Conservation status: Cicadas are not currently on the endangered species list, but because they are considered agricultural pests, they are threatened by pesticides and felling trees in some areas.
The smallest insect in the world
04, fairy bee
Physical characteristics: Fairy bees are the smallest insects in the world, with a body length of only 200um (about 0.2 mm). They have a white or yellow body with very small wings and long antennae.
Habits and behavior: Fairy bees feed mainly on eggs from other insects. It is mainly parasitic on thrips insects, sucking their nutrients and laying eggs in their bodies, thus completing its own reproductive reproduction. Fairy bees are also often used as an effective way of biological control of thrips pests.
Habitat and distribution: Fairy bees are found all over the world and live mainly on plants.
Conservation status: Due to its wide distribution and large numbers, fairy bees are not currently listed as endangered species.
The fastest flying insect in the world
05, Australian dragonfly
Physical characteristics: The Australian dragonfly is the largest dragonfly, reaching a length of up to 12 cm. Their bodies are very slender and cylindrical, with thin and transparent wings, and the reticulated veins on them are extremely clear.
Habits and behaviour: The Australian dragonfly is one of the fastest flying insects in the world, sprinting at speeds of up to 58 kilometers per hour over short distances. They inhabit grass near the water and feed on insects, small fish and lizards.
Habitat and distribution: Australian dragonflies are found in areas such as Australia and Tasmania.
Conservation status: Due to the large number of dragonflies in Australia, it is not currently on the endangered species list.
The shortest-lived insect in the world
06, 蜉蝣
Physical characteristics: Adult mayflies are small or medium-sized, slender and have soft body walls. They have small heads, short antennae, and bristles.
Habits and behavior: Adult mayflies are the shortest lifespan insects, only one day. Adult mayflies are responsible for mating and reproducing during their short lives. Mayfly larvae live in freshwater lakes or streams and prefer to swim in the water.
Habitat and distribution: Mayflies are found all over the world, mainly in water's edge in waters such as lakes, streams, and rivers.
Conservation status: Due to its large number of mayflies, it is not currently listed as an endangered species.
The most fertile insect in the world
07, bat moth
Physical characteristics: The bat moth is a large moth with a wingspan of more than 22.5 cm. European and North American species are mostly brown or grey with silver spots on the wings; Species from Africa, New Zealand and Australia are brightly colored.
Habits and behavior: Bat moths are among the most fertile insects, with a female laying more than 29,000 eggs. The larvae of the bat moth are the basis for the growth of Cordyceps sinensis. The bat moth flies fast, but does not have a certain direction of flight.
Habitat and distribution: Bat moths are found all over the world, including Europe, North America, Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Conservation status: Due to the wide variety of bat moths, they are not currently listed on any conservation list.
The longest insect in the world
08. Stick worm
Physical characteristics: The stick worm is one of the largest insects in the world, and the largest individual can reach 62.4 cm. The bamboo worm is slender, winged or wingless, and generally between 6 cm and 24 cm long.
Habits and behaviors: Stick insects are slow to move, lying quietly on branches during the day, and only come out at night to take leaves to fill their hunger. Stick insects are nocturnal and static during the day. Because the shape of the stick insect is similar to a small branch, it is very cleverly camouflaged in the natural environment and is not easy to be detected by enemies.
Habitat and distribution: Stick insects are distributed all over the world, mainly growing in forests, grasslands, mountains and other environments.
Conservation status: Stick worms are not currently listed on any conservation list.
The fastest wing-flapping insect in the world
09. Shake mosquitoes
Physical characteristics: Shaker mosquito is an aquatic insect, small in size, commonly found in various types of water bodies, in large numbers. The wings of the wagging mosquito flap very quickly, up to 63,000 times per minute.
Habit and behavior: Mosquito is a very tolerant insect, accounting for more than half of the total number of benthic invertebrates, and biomass accounts for 70%~80% of aquatic benthic animals. Mosquitoes are of great significance in the ecological balance of freshwater waters and fish farming.
Habitat and distribution: Shaker mosquitoes are found in freshwater waters around the world, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc.
Conservation status: At present, the population of shaking mosquitoes is relatively abundant and has not been included in any protection list.
The most camouflaged insect in the world
10. Orchid praying mantis
Physical characteristics: The orchid mantis is a praying mantis insect with a more extreme sexual dimorphism, adult females are about 6-7 cm long, while males are only about 2.5 cm. The body color of the orchid mantis can adjust its color according to the shade of the flower color to complete the camouflage.
Habits and behavior: The orchid mantis is a predator that preys on its prey in a manner that waits for rabbits. The steps of the orchid mantis evolved a petal-like structure and color, which can be mimicked in orchids without being detected by prey.
Habitat and distribution: Orchid mantis is found all over the world, growing on the stems and leaves of plants such as orchids.
Conservation status: The orchid mantis is not currently on any conservation list.