The World’s Record Breaking Bugs
Join us as we learn some fun facts about the fascinating world of bugs. Although the world is the same physical size, it is definitely much bigger to these small creatures. Considering that insects represent about 40% of all known living species, insects are out here breaking records too!
The Most Beautiful Insect
Winning with flying colors is the Sunset Moth from Madagascar. The Sunset Moth is a beautiful day-flying moth of rainbow colors!
The Most Bizarrely-shaped Insect
Various species of treehoppers with incredible structures that resemble thorns and barbs on their backs take a spot at the top of the odd shaped bugs.. A Thorn Bug is one of those that have a physical appearance that tends to be a defensive/camouflage trait. The bug looks so much like the nearby thorn, that animals that would like to eat it have trouble finding it.
The Fastest Flying Insect
Dragonflies can travel at the speed of 35 miles an hour. Hawk Moths, which have been clocked at a speed of 33.7 miles an hour, come in second. The adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions: upward, downward, forward, backward, to left and to right. Dragonflies can travel at 100 body-lengths per second in forward flight, and three lengths per second backwards.
The Longest-lived Insect
The queen of termites is the longest-lived insect to our knowledge, known to live for 50 years. Some scientists believe that they live for 100 years.
Largest Termite Mound
The largest mound in the world is a mound from Australia, 20 feet high and 100 feet in diameter at the base. From Africa, mounds have reached 42 feet in height, but with only a 10 foot diameter base.
The Longest Insect
A more recently discovered stick insect in China is 25 inches long, replacing the Malaysian stick insect at 20 inches.
