Belostomatidae

Belostomatidae is a family of insects better known as "giant water bugs" or "toe-biters." All bugs in the Belostomatidae family are fierce predators which stalk, capture and feed on aquatic crustaceans, fish and amphibians. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. They then strike, injecting a powerful digestive saliva and suck out the liquefied remains. Yum!

Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect. The saliva liquefies muscle tissue. In rare instances, their bite can do permanent damage to humans. So don't get drunk and pass out with your face near one of these guys.

Occasionally when encountered by a larger predator, such as a human, they have been known to "play dead" and emit a fluid from their anus to make them look less appetizing. Due to this they are assumed dead by humans only to later "come alive" with painful results.

Atlas Moth
(Attacus Atlas)

Atlas moths are...

• ...considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area. Their wingspan is often up to a foot long.
• ...are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns.
• ...unsteady fliers and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis.
• ...found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia.

Giant Camel Spider

When American soldiers aren't worrying about insurgents and IEDs, they have to keep an eye out for Giant Camel Spiders. The above photo was taken in the desert area outside of Baghdad. Iraq's Giant Camel Spiders have even been found hiding in sleeping bags. Fortunately, the giant desert camel spiders native to Iraq aren't venomous. But they are FAST. Giant Camel Spiders have been known to run around 10 MPH.

Giant Walking Stick

Many stick insects are easy to care for, and believe it or not make good tropical pets.

Indian stick insects are all female and reproduce by themselves (parthenogenesis) and seem content living without mates or kin. Occasionally part-male part-female individuals are reared in captivity, but never true males.

The stick insects molt and may eat their own shed skin. By the 6th molt, the stick insect will lay eggs so grab a tiny frying pan and a fork.

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing
(Ornithoptera alexandrae)

Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is the largest butterfly in the world. The species was named by Lord Walter Rothschild in 1907, in honor of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Female Birdwings can reach a wingspan of about 14 inches, a body length of 3-4 inches and a body mass of up to 1/2 ounce. These are all enormous measurements for a butterfly and actually much more common for small birds.

Birdwings primarily live in the forests of Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea.

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is considered endangered by the IUCN.

Goliath Beetle

The Goliath beetles are among the heaviest insects on Earth. They are found in Africa. The heavily armored adults are so large that when flying, they produce a sound akin to a toy helicopter in flight. They are scavengers and eat rotting fruit, vegetables and animal feces off the jungle floor.

Giant Weta

Weta are large by insect standards. They can weigh more than 70g, making them one of the heaviest documented insects in the known world. The Giant Weta can't even jump because it's so heavy and hides under rocks or plant debris.