Have you ever seen a bug the size of a bird or an insect that sucks out the insides of its prey?
Let's look at some of the world's strangest insects!
Number 15. White Ermine Moth
You've probably seen this furry fellow in various memes throughout the years.
But, you may have never known that it's called the white ermine moth. They're easily recognizable
with whimsical black antennae and pure white mane-like hairs, giving it its fuzzy appearance.
These moths live in temperate regions of Europe to Kazakhstan, as well as in Siberia, Korea, Japan,
and China. Although the white ermine's white fur gives it a pleasant "pet me" appearance,
it's best not to touch these insects. Their bodies contain toxins,
and even birds refuse to feast on these strange looking flyers.
Number 14. Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar
Although it turns into a gorgeous blue butterfly, this caterpillar is certainly not a looker before
it goes through its entire metamorphosis. This caterpillar looks spiky and dangerous and for
good reason. The pipevine caterpillar feeds on pipevine plants - hence its name. These plants
contain aristolochic acids, which the caterpillar withdraws and uses for defensive purposes.
Pipevine caterpillars are around five centimeters long and can be black, brown, and even bright red
in some places like Arizona and Texas. Pipevine caterpillars feed on their host plants for several
weeks before finding a place to pupate - the process in which they turn into butterflies.
Number 13. Giant Weta
This insect isn't exactly the strangest looking,
but if you have a fear of large bugs, then you probably want to stay away from New Zealand.
The giant weta is endemic to the island country and is a classic example of island gigantism,
a biological anomaly in which a species living on an isolated island dramatically
grows in size compared to similar species that aren't in isolation. In the case of the giant
weta , it's essentially an enormous flightless cricket. The largest species of this creature
is the Little Barrier Island giant weta . One of these behemoths - measured in 2011 - weighed
an impressive 2.50 ounces or 71 grams. For comparison, that's what some blue jays weigh!
Number 12. Assassin Bug
Even the name of this insect makes you want to stay far away,
and it doesn't look any more inviting than it sounds. They're found almost anywhere in the world
and are considered ambush predators. The bright orange-red and black assassin bug stealthily
waits for its prey to pass by, striking it when the opportunity presents itself. These bugs
are ectoparasites, meaning they live outside their hosts' bodies. What makes the assassin
bug so strange is its grisly feeding process. It uses the long appendage on the front of its face,
called a rostrum , to penetrate its prey and injects a toxic saliva,
which liquefies the unlucky victim's insides. The assassin bug then sucks out the innards. Because
of its lethal saliva, this insect is capable of feeding on prey much larger than itself.
Number 11. Antlion
This creature looks especially strange in its larval stage. It has enormous pincers and a wide
body with four visible forelegs. Just like the assassin bug, the antlion is an ambush predator.
This insect digs a pit in the sand, carefully forming a steep slope around its hiding
place called the critical angle of repose, the steepest angle the substrate can maintain without
collapsing. At the bottom of the pit, the antlion buries itself and waits. When an unlucky ant or
other insect slips on the steep slope and falls to the center of the pit, this insatiable critter
locks into it with powerful jaws, injecting enzymes and venom like the assassin bug. Once
the liquid insides are sucked out, the antlion discards the carcass by tossing it out of the pit.
Number 10. Devil's Flower Mantis
Mantises in general are odd-looking with their arm-like front legs, and bulging eyes that
seem to follow you wherever you go. But, the devil's flower mantis kicks things up a notch.
It is one of the most sizable species of mantis, especially out of those that mimic
plants. The female grows up to five inches long, and males reach just four inches.
These creatures live in Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan,
and Malawi . Although the devil's flower mantis easily blends in with brown or green foliage,
it's defense tactic reveals the bright red, blue, purple, white and black hues of its underside.
Number 9. Hickory Horned Devil
These frightening caterpillars eventually turn into stunning royal walnut moths,
but before they go through metamorphosis, they don't look like something you'd want to mess with.
Hickory horned devils moult five times prior to becoming moths, and the fifth time is when their
appearance becomes incredibly unique. Sharp red horn-like extremities protrude from its upper body
near its head, and smaller black spikes cover the remainder of its striking turquoise body.
They grow up to an impressive 5.9 inches long and look dangerous. But, despite its
threatening appearance, the hickory horned devil isn't harmful. Their bright colors are simply a
ploy to ward off predators. Although their horns are prickly, these caterpillars don't sting.
Number 8. Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
What makes this insect truly unique is its incredible size and similarity to a hummingbird.
With a wingspan of 1.8 inches and featherlike hairs that protrude from its back end,
it's difficult to tell this moth apart from a hummingbird at a distance. But,
its appearance isn't the only thing that earned the hummingbird hawk-moth its name.
This peculiar creature feeds on tubular flowers
using its proboscis , which can reach almost 3 centimeters long! Also similar to hummingbirds,
the moth flaps its wings at an amazing rate to hover while feeding, making a humming noise.
Number 7. Spiny Flower Mantis
Another mantis that just might top the devil's flower mantis is this vibrantly patterned species.
It's named after the spiky protrusions that emerge from its underbelly. But, what sets this
critter apart from other mantises is its striking colors. They vary in hue from green, pink, yellow,
and red with a signature bright green, black, and cream-colored spiral that dons its forewings.
This insect uses the eyelike patterns on its wings to ward off predators by spreading them
open to appear larger. However, the mantis can use its coloring to attract prey as well.
It looks very much like a flower when sitting still. So, when other insects attempt to
pollinate what they think is a flower, the spiny flower mantis strikes, capturing its prey.
Number 6. Tailed Emperor Caterpillar
This species of caterpillar is set apart from others due to the four lengthy horns that emerge
from its head, giving it the appearance of a crown. It also exhibits two yellowish crescent
shapes in the center of its back, contrasting from its otherwise bright green hue. Although
the tailed emperor caterpillar is colorful at this stage of its life, when it becomes a butterfly,
it loses a bit of its vibrancy. The adult tailed emperor is predominantly black and
white on its hindwings and dull orange, red, and black on the underside of its wings.
Number 5. Giraffe Weevil
The giraffe weevil's signature long neck is the reason behind its defining title.
It's easy to tell the males apart from the females of this species as the male's neck
is an impressive three times longer than that of the female. Although their necks are long in
comparison to the rest of their bodies, giraffe weevils only reach around 2.5 centimeters long.
The long neck is the result of adaptation for fighting for mates and building nests.
This insect is mostly shiny black with bright red coverings over its wings.
Number 4. Thorn Bug
These striking bugs grow to approximately 1 cm long and are characterized by the large horns
that emerge from their backs. The brightly colored green, red, and yellow protrusion
deters predators from chowing down because they believe it's a thorn; hence the insect's name.
These bugs are also impressive communicators with the ability
to send vibrations through their entire group to warn of an approaching predator.
Number 3. Scorpionfly
The scorpionfly got its name due to the large, scorpion-like tail the males of the species
exhibit. But, despite its sinister appearance, the scorpionfly's conspicuous extremity is actually
its means of reproduction. This insect doesn't sting. However, the scorpionfly does have slightly
morbid behavior, its nasty habit of feeding on human remains; and it prefers them fresh.
Number 2. Peanut Head Bug
With a head shaped like a shell-on peanut, it's no surprise how this insect got its name.
The peanut head bug grows up to 3.5 inches long, and its wingspan reaches 5.9 inches. The shape
and coloring of its head also resemble that of a lizard, which works to deter some predators.
But, to ward off larger foes, the peanut head bug displays large eyelike yellow markings on
its hind wings, fooling the aggressor into thinking it's much larger prey.
In addition to its defensive display, the peanut head bug
also releases a fetid substance that's sure to turn any hovering nose away.
Number 1. Puss Caterpillar
This one-inch-long caterpillar slightly resembles a dollhouse-sized Persian cat,
earning it the name "puss" although others might compare
it to a long-haired guinea pig. It's covered in silky hair-like structures and varies in color
from golden brown, greyish-white, and dark grey but often has a bright orange streak that runs
down the length of its back. The puss caterpillar lives in the eastern and southern US, as well
as Mexico and Central America. Although it looks like a tiny furball you'd like to pick up and pet,
the puss caterpillar's spines are venomous and cause extreme pain, as well as nausea, headache,
blisters, chest pain, burning, and difficulty breathing. These deceivingly
friendly caterpillars turn into southern flannel moths, which are also covered in thick hair.