The vast majority of people adheres to the opinion that the insect must be small. And, most of them, and these are. This is due to some peculiarities of these creatures, which do not allow them to grow to enormous size. But still, some beetles (and not only) break stereotypes and reach impressive sizes, to put it mildly. Below, you have the option to see a list of the five largest beetles in the world.
Stag beetle
Opens the five of the largest beetles in the world famous stag beetle, known for its large horns similar to a deer. He lives in Russia, Ukraine, Europe and Northern America. Though its habitat and is large enough that the animal listed in the red book in many countries and is protected by law.
The body length of adult reaches ten and a half inches, with a given horn. But, in most cases, their height is no greater than 8 inches. The beetle itself he lives for a season, and its larva develops in the roots of trees for eight years.
Due to the constant trapping of beetles collectors, they just do not have time to multiply as it should. Another sad factor that makes the bugs die out excessive deforestation. Adult insects feed on tree SAP, especially oak juice. Color – dark legs and head and are dark brown or brown elytra, thorax and head. The female of this beetle has a large horn and considerably less than the male in body size.
The heaviest beetle in the world
Beetle-Goliath
The beetle is the Goliath, which also is the title of one of the most difficult in the world of beetles. Its growth reaches twelve inches, while weight can be 80-100 grams. Habitat – Central and South-Eastern part of Africa. The adult beetle lives for about six months. At the same time, it actively feeds on ripe fruit and juice of some trees.
The larvae of the Goliath, living underground, eating humus and fallen leaves of trees. Color beetle black-and-white drawings that are different, depending on the subspecies of the insect. A special feature of these bugs is that during flight, the elytra are not opened. When the wings are disclosed, they remain on the back when folded. But, this does not affect the quality of the flight, due to special hollows on the back of the beetle.
Hercules beetle – the third place
Beetle Hercules
Third place in body size is Hercules. This beetle is an inhabitant of South America. Its body length reaches seventeen inches. But, it’s a given long horns, which is almost half the length of the body. The wingspan of these insects reach 20 centimeters. A mass catch up of representatives of the first place of this rating.
The color of the horns, head and legs black. And the elytra can be brown, red or yellowish flowers, often with spots. The horn is located on the head of beetle, and it is the hallmark of males and females it is not. The length of the females varies from 8 to 10 centimeters. Live such beauties are not more than six months.
Alterego krupnogo
The second nominee belongs to the family of beetles called oleuropin krupnooptovom. This is a very beautiful and spectacular beetle. Chest, head and legs of the adult are black in color, sometimes turning into dark brown and Burgundy color. The elytra have decoration in the form of black drawings, like a complex maze. And the elytra are tinged with a yellowish-brown color.
Any maximum size, the insect is able to reach, is not known. So far, the length of the largest caught a bug was 16.5 inches. It is not considering the length of its antennae and mandibles, which are just long enough. There are instances, too, in South America. This species is poorly known.
The largest beetle in the world
The Capricorn beetle – Titan cleaver
This opens the top, representative of the insect, which can reach twenty centimeters in length and it is only his body. If we take into account antennae, which length is also about 20 cm, you get an impressive length. This beetle is called the Titan-a lumberjack and he is recognized as the largest on the planet. It is found in most areas of South America, but it is so rare that to see him is almost impossible.
Therefore, this bug is very poorly understood by scientists and yet we know of him very little information. The color of the body dark brown and solid. The adult lives from 3 to 5 weeks. During this period, the beetle does not feed, but only engaged in mating and leaves offspring.
The larvae have to develop much longer (exactly how much is not yet known). It is not known what larvae feed in the period of its growth. Yet none of the entomologist are not lucky enough to find the larva in this instance. In the world there are other bugs that are related to the titanium-tin man. Therefore, it is truly unique and extraordinary representative of the class of insects. He is chased by both scholars and private collectors.
