Insects are everywhere! Some people find them super interesting while others can’t even stand the thought of them. Either way, we share this planet with these alien-like creepy crawlies. Insects were here on Earth long before humans, and they are here to stay.
There are actually way more insects than humans on Earth. There are 900,000 known species and probably millions more that haven’t even been discovered yet! Check out this list of some of the weirdest (and coolest) ones we could find.
The world is full of many amazing and beautiful creatures, but it is also home to some of the weirdest and most bizarre bugs you’ll ever see. From insects that look like sticks to spiders with tail-like appendages, these crazy critters seem like something out of a science fiction movie. Keep reading to learn about 12 of the most incredibly weird bugs on planet Earth.
1. Man-Faced Stink Bug
This aptly named insect from Madagascar and Asia really does resemble a tiny human face. It has a distinct “nose” and “eyes” on its back. Beyond its unbelievable appearance the man-faced stink bug is a major agricultural pest that destroys cashew crops.
2. Giant Prickly Stick Insect
As its name suggests, this Southeast Asian insect looks just like a twig covered in spines and thorns. Growing up to 15cm long, its impressive camouflage helps it blend into the forest environment. The giant prickly stick insect feeds on leaves and is harmless to humans.
3. Venezuelan Poodle Moth
Discovered in 2009, this mysterious white furry moth resembles a tiny poodle dog. Very little is known about the poodle moth, including what it eats and where it lives. One thing’s for sure – its bizarre looks make it one of the weirdest bugs out there.
4. Goliath Bird-Eating Spider
This aptly named giant spider found in South America is the world’s largest, growing up to 30cm legspan As terrifying as it looks, it rarely preys on birds and actually prefers to eat insects Still, the goliath bird-eater is not a bug you’d want to mess with!
5. Giant Weta
Endemic to New Zealand the giant weta is the world’s largest insect in terms of mass weighing over 70g. These chunky bugs look like a science experiment gone wrong, with their bulging white eyes and giant spikes on their legs. Giant wetas use their powerful mandibles to pack a painful bite.
6. Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
This fascinating moth found across Europe, Africa, and Asia can actually hover and fly backwards, just like a hummingbird. Their fuzzy yellow and brown striped bodies allow them to mimic bees and wasps as a defense mechanism. Watching them dart through the air is an amazing sight.
7. Violin Mantis
Named for the violin-like markings on its thorax, this unusual pale green praying mantis from Africa is a master of camouflage. It sways gently in the breeze mimicking the movement of leaves and twigs, allowing it to ambush unsuspecting prey. Definitely one of the coolest looking bugs out there.
8. Giant Water Bug
Related to roaches and stink bugs, the giant water bug is the largest aquatic insect in the world, growing up to 12cm long. It uses its piercing mouthparts to stab and eat fish, frogs, and even snakes! Beware its powerful bite if picked up.
9. Atlas Beetle
Found in Southeast Asia, the Atlas beetle is one of the largest beetles in the world, reaching up to 11cm long. Beyond its imposing size, it has bizarre spiked horns protruding from its head and thorax resembling a mythological creature. Despite its scary looks, it is completely harmless.
10. Dragonfly Larva
Growing up to 6cm long, the dragonfly larva looks nothing like its elegant, winged adult form. With a large ominous head, massive jaws, and stocky armored body, they almost seem like aliens living underwater. As ferocious hunters, they eat just about anything including small fish and tadpoles.
11. Assassin Bug
True to its name, assassin bugs found worldwide are ruthless predators that impale prey on their straw-like mouthparts and suck out their bodily fluids. They are known to attack beneficial insects like bees, making them a problematic garden pest. Their “backpack” eggs are almost as weird looking as the adults.
12. Giant Centipede
Reaching over 30cm long, giant centipedes are fast, venomous predators found in tropical regions around the world. Their flattened bodies have up to 350 legs, allowing them to quickly dash after prey and deliver an intensely painful bite. These megapedes are not to be toyed with!
So there you have it – some of the strangest, freakiest, and most alien-looking bugs this planet has to offer. The diversity of life never ceases to amaze! Let us know if we missed any exceptionally weird insects. Just be glad these crazy critters are safely contained in the natural world.
Goliath beetle (Wikimedia/w:en:user:fir0002/
The goliath beetle is one of the largest insects on earth. Some people who have these giant beetles as pets will feed them dog and cat food! They are found mostly on the continent of Africa in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Brazilian treehopper (
From the same family of insects as the thorn bug, these guys have a strange crown of fuzzy circular horns on their heads. It’s not clear why they have these ball-like horns. But theyre probably a good way to keep their enemies away!
15 Weird and exotic insects you won’t believe exist
FAQ
Which is the weirdest insect?
- Stalk-eyed flies. Stalk eyed Fly insects in Thailand and Southeast-Asia. …
- Thorn bug. Getty images. …
- Venezuelan poodle moth. …
- Praying Mantis. …
- White beetle. …
- Lanternflies. …
- Female scale insect. …
- Planthopper nymphs.
What is the most terrifying bug?
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Japanese Giant Hornet:These hornets are known for their large size and painful, potentially fatal stings, and their venom can cause severe reactions.
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Bullet Ant:This ant is infamous for the excruciating pain of its bite, which is described as feeling like being shot.
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Assassin Bug:These bugs are predators that feed on other insects and spiders, and their bite can be painful and cause inflammation.
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Bot Fly:The bot fly is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs on or near mammals, and the larvae can burrow into the skin and cause discomfort.
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Giant Silkworm Assassin Caterpillar:These caterpillars are known for their venomous bristles that can cause a painful reaction.
What is the most gross bug?
- Tarantula Hawks. Don’t let its name fool you – these stinging pests are neither tarantulas nor hawks. …
- House Centipedes. Also known as Spider-pedes, these nasty creatures are Arthropods in the Myriapoda subphylum. …
- Wolf Spiders. …
- Human Bot Flies. …
- Bed Bugs. …
- Citations.
What is the rarest insect?
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Discovery and Rediscovery:The Lord Howe Island stick insect, native to the Lord Howe Island group off the coast of Australia, was thought to be extinct after a shipwreck introduced rats to the island in 1918, which decimated the insect population. It was rediscovered in 2001 on the nearby Ball’s Pyramid volcano.
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Appearance:These insects are large, flightless, and stick-like, growing up to 6 inches in length.
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Current Status:The species is critically endangered, with estimates suggesting only 9-35 individuals in the wild.
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Conservation Efforts:To ensure the survival of this species, breeding programs are underway at zoos and museums, including the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Melbourne Zoo.
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Ball’s Pyramid:The insects were rediscovered on Ball’s Pyramid, a 561-meter (1,843-foot) sea stack, which is the tallest in the world.
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Threats:The main threats to this species are storms, droughts, and the potential for poaching, as well as the fact that they rely on Melaleuca shrubs that only occur on one of the Ball’s Pyramid’s terraces and are themselves threatened by invasive vine species.
What are the weirdest insects you’ll ever see?
Here are 20 of the weirdest insects you’ll ever see. The thorn bug, with its spiky, alien-like appearance, is a true marvel of insect camouflage. Covered in thorn-like protrusions, this bug blends seamlessly into thorny plants and branches, making it almost indistinguishable from its surroundings.
What are the weirdest bugs in the world?
With long whip-like legs, Whip Spiders (Ariamnes colubrinus) are some of the weirdest bugs in the world. They are weird in many ways, including their flattened shape which also makes them some of the thinnest large bugs in the world. Their pedipalps are also distinct, as they are used to grab insects.
What are some examples of weird insects?
Another “great” example of weird insects is the creepily named assassin bug, which is famous for its attack style as well as its weird looks. Various species of assassin bugs are found throughout the world with differing colouring to match their native camouflage.
What is the heaviest insect in the world?
The Giant Weta is the heaviest insect in the world. While the Titan Beetle is one of the longest insects, measuring up to 6.6 inches in length.
What are the weirdest colors in the world of bugs?
Some of the weirdest colors in the world of bugs are also specific to the species. There’s some color variation within the species which includes pink, purple, and blue nuances across the body. These are all metallic or high-sheen colors which means the bug stands out, especially in full sun.
What is the strongest insect in the world?
Another weird bug of the world is the legendary Hercules beetle, so named because of its extraordinary strength. Its ability to carry loads up to 850 times its own body weight (or up to 8kg!) makes it the strongest insect on the planet. Found in Central and South America, the distinctive “horn” is what makes this insect so strange looking.