Top Five Facts: Giant Bugs

Most expensive

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world. It is also one of the most expensive. Specimens have sold for $12,400 (£7,600).

Most refreshing

The jungle nymph stick insect is one of the heaviest insects in existence. In Malaysia they are fed guava leaves and the droppings are used to make tea.


Chan’s megastick (phobaeticus chani) is the longest insect in the world; one specimen is 56.7cm (22 inches) long. It was only discovered in 2008.

Most dangerous

The Asian giant hornet is the largest wasp in the world. Its sting kills more people in Japan each year than all other wild animals combined, including bears and snakes.

Largest actual bug

True bugs belong to the order hemiptera and have piercing and sucking mouthparts. The largest is the giant water bug, which can be 10cm (four inches) long.