Summary:
{{Template}}
:''[[oldest plants]]''
[[Insect]]s, which are a type of [[arthropod]], are easily the most numerous group of [[organism]]s on the planet, with about a million species identified so far. The title of heaviest insect in the world has many rivals, the most frequently-crowned of which is the [[larval stage]] of the [[Goliathus|goliath beetle]], ''Goliathus goliatus'', the top size of which is at least 115 g (4.1 oz) and 11.5 cm (4.5 in). The largest confirmed weight of an adult insect is {{convert|71|g|oz|abbr=on}} for a [[giant weta]], ''Deinacrida heteracantha'', although it is likely one of the [[elephant beetle]]s, ''Megasoma elephas'' and ''Megasoma actaeon'', or goliath beetles, both of which can commonly exceed 50 g (1.75 oz) and 10 cm (4 in), can reach a higher weight.
The longest insects are the stick insects, see below.
Representatives of the extinct dragonfly-like [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Protodonata]] such as the [[Carboniferous]] ''[[Meganeura monyi]]'' and the [[Permian]] ''[[Meganeuropsis permiana]]'' are the largest [[insect]] species ever known. These creatures had a wingspan of some 75 cm (30 in) and a body weight of over 1 lb (450 g){{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}, making them about the size of a [[crow]].
*'''Weta'''
:''[[Deinacrida heteracantha]]'' or Little Barrier Giant Weta, weighs 71g
*'''Cockroaches''' (Blattodea)
:The largest [[cockroach]] is the [[giant burrowing cockroach]] (''Macropanesthia rhinoceros''). This species can attain a length of 8.3 cm (3.3 in) and a weight of 36 g (1.3 oz).
*'''Beetles''' (Coleoptera)
:The [[beetle]]s are the largest order of organisms on earth, with about 350,000 species so far identified. The most massive species are the ''[[Goliathus]]'', ''[[Megasoma]]'' and ''[[Titan beetle|Titanus]]'' beetles already mentioned. The longest species is the [[Hercules beetle]], ''Dynastes hercules'' with a maximum overall length of at least 17 cm (7 in) including the very long pronotal horn.
*'''Earwigs''' (Dermaptera)
:The largest of the [[earwig]]s is the [[Saint Helena earwig|Saint Helena giant earwig]], ''Labidura herculeana'', which is up to 8.4 cm (3¼ in) in length{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}.
*'''True flies''' (Diptera)
:The largest species of this huge order is the species ''[[Gauromydas heros]]'', which can reach a length of 6 cm (2½ in) and a wingspan of 10 cm (4 in). Species of [[crane fly]], the largest of which is ''Holorusia brobdignagius'', can attain a length of 23 cm (9 in) but are extremely slender and much lighter in weight than ''Mydas''.
*'''Mayflies''' (Ephemeroptera)
:The largest mayflies are members of the genus ''[[Proboscidoplocia]]'' from [[Madagascar]]. These insects can reach a length of 5 cm (2 in).
*'''True bugs''' (Hemiptera)
:The largest species of this diverse, huge order is a [[giant water bug]], ''Lethocerus maximus''. This species can attain a length of 11.6 cm (4.6 in), although it is more slender and less heavy than most other insects of this size (principally the huge [[beetle]]s).
*'''Ants and allies''' (Hymenoptera)
:The largest of the [[ant]]s, and the heaviest species of the order, are the females of ''[[Dorylus helvolus]]'', reaching a length of 5 cm (2 in). The ant that averages the largest for the mean size of the whole colony is ''[[Dinoponera gigantea]]'', averaging up to 3.3 cm (1¼ in). The largest of the [[bee]] species, also in the order [[Hymenoptera]], is ''[[Megachile pluto]]'', the females of which can be 3.8 cm (1½ in) long, with a 6.3 cm (2½ in) wingspan. The largest wasp is probably the so-called [[tarantula hawk]] species ''[[Pepsis pulszkyi]]'', at up to 6.8 cm (2¾ in) long and 11.6 cm (4½ in) wingspan, although many other ''[[Pepsis]]'' approach a similar size.
*'''Termites''' (Isoptera)
:The largest of the [[termite]]s is the African species ''[[Macrotermes bellicosus]]''. The queen of this species can attain a length of 10.6 cm (4.2 in) and breadth of 5.5 cm (2¼ in); other adults, on the other hand, are about a third of the size.
[[Image:MP - Ornithoptera alexandrae 3.jpg|thumb|The [[Queen Alexandra's birdwing]] is the largest species of butterfly.]]
*'''Moths and allies''' (Lepidoptera)
:The largest species is probably either the [[Queen Alexandra's birdwing]], ''Ornithoptera alexandrae'', a butterfly, or the [[Atlas moth]], ''Attacus atlas'', a moth. Both of these species can exceed a length of 8 cm (3¼ in), a wingspan of 28 cm (11 in) and a weight of 12 g. Their larvae can weigh up to {{convert|58|g|oz|1|abbr=on}} or {{convert|1.9|oz|g|0|abbr=on}}<!-- was "58 g (1.9 oz)" which don't agree--we don't weigh caterpillars in troy ounces--> . However, the White Witch, ''[[Thysania agrippina]]'', has the longest recorded wingspan of the order, and indeed of any living insect, at up to at least 30 cm (12 in), though it is exceeded in surface area and mass by both ''[[Ornithoptera]]'' and ''[[Attacus]]''.
*'''Praying mantises''' (Mantodea)
:The largest species of this order is the [[African Mantis]]. The females of this species can attain a length of up to 12 inches. There have been reports of scientists discovering an unidentified species of mantis in southern China in the 1920s of 18 inches (45 cm.), but this is unconfirmed. Some larger species have been known to capture and consume frogs, lizards, mice, small birds, and even snakes.
*'''Dragonflies and damselflies''' (Odonata)
:The largest living species of [[odonate]] (the order that includes [[dragonflies]] and [[damselflies]]) is ''[[Megaloprepus caerulatus]]'', attaining a size of as much as 19 cm (7.5 in) across the wings and a body length of over 12 cm (4.7 in). The largest species of dragonfly ever is the extinct ''[[Meganeura]]''.
*'''Grasshoppers and allies''' ([[Orthoptera]])
:The largest of this widespread, varied complex of insects is the [[giant weta]], ''Deinacrida heteracantha'', of New Zealand. This formidable insect can weigh over 75 g (2.6 oz) and measure up to nearly 10 cm (4 in), rivaling the huge [[beetle]]s in size.
*'''Stick insects''' (Phasmatodea)
:The longest known [[stick insect]] is ''[[Phobaeticus chani]]'', with one specimen held in the [[Natural History Museum]] in London measuring {{convert|567|mm|in}} in total length.
This measurement is, however, with the front legs fully extended. The body alone still measures {{convert|357|mm|in}}. The species with the second longest body is ''[[Phobaeticus kirbyi]]'', which measures up to {{convert|328|mm|in}}, while the overall length (from the hind to the front legs) is up to {{convert|546|mm|in}}, and the body weight is up to 72 g (2.5 oz).{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The second longest insect in terms of total length is ''[[Phobaeticus serratipes]]'', measuring up to {{convert|555|mm|in}}.
*'''Stoneflies''' (Plecoptera)
:The largest species of [[stonefly]] is ''[[Pteronarcys californica]]'', a species favored by [[fishermen]] as lures. This species can attain a length of 5 cm (2 in) and a wingspan of nearly 7.5 cm (3 in).
*'''Booklice''' ([[Psocoptera]])
:The largest of this order of very small insects are the barklouse of the genus ''[[Psocus]]'', the top size of which is about 1 cm (0.4 in).
*'''Fleas''' (Siphonaptera)
:The largest species of [[flea]] is ''[[Hystrichopsylla schefferi]]''. This parasite is known exclusively from the fur of the [[Mountain Beaver]] and can reach a length of 1.2 cm (0.5 in).
*'''Thrips''' ([[Thysanoptera]])
:Members of the genus ''[[Phasmothrips]]'' are the largest kinds of [[thrip]]s. The maximum size of these species is approximately 1.3 cm (0.5 in).
==See also==
*[[Lists of superlatives]]
{{GFDL}}
:''[[oldest plants]]''
[[Insect]]s, which are a type of [[arthropod]], are easily the most numerous group of [[organism]]s on the planet, with about a million species identified so far. The title of heaviest insect in the world has many rivals, the most frequently-crowned of which is the [[larval stage]] of the [[Goliathus|goliath beetle]], ''Goliathus goliatus'', the top size of which is at least 115 g (4.1 oz) and 11.5 cm (4.5 in). The largest confirmed weight of an adult insect is {{convert|71|g|oz|abbr=on}} for a [[giant weta]], ''Deinacrida heteracantha'', although it is likely one of the [[elephant beetle]]s, ''Megasoma elephas'' and ''Megasoma actaeon'', or goliath beetles, both of which can commonly exceed 50 g (1.75 oz) and 10 cm (4 in), can reach a higher weight.
The longest insects are the stick insects, see below.
Representatives of the extinct dragonfly-like [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Protodonata]] such as the [[Carboniferous]] ''[[Meganeura monyi]]'' and the [[Permian]] ''[[Meganeuropsis permiana]]'' are the largest [[insect]] species ever known. These creatures had a wingspan of some 75 cm (30 in) and a body weight of over 1 lb (450 g){{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}, making them about the size of a [[crow]].
*'''Weta'''
:''[[Deinacrida heteracantha]]'' or Little Barrier Giant Weta, weighs 71g
*'''Cockroaches''' (Blattodea)
:The largest [[cockroach]] is the [[giant burrowing cockroach]] (''Macropanesthia rhinoceros''). This species can attain a length of 8.3 cm (3.3 in) and a weight of 36 g (1.3 oz).
*'''Beetles''' (Coleoptera)
:The [[beetle]]s are the largest order of organisms on earth, with about 350,000 species so far identified. The most massive species are the ''[[Goliathus]]'', ''[[Megasoma]]'' and ''[[Titan beetle|Titanus]]'' beetles already mentioned. The longest species is the [[Hercules beetle]], ''Dynastes hercules'' with a maximum overall length of at least 17 cm (7 in) including the very long pronotal horn.
*'''Earwigs''' (Dermaptera)
:The largest of the [[earwig]]s is the [[Saint Helena earwig|Saint Helena giant earwig]], ''Labidura herculeana'', which is up to 8.4 cm (3¼ in) in length{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}.
*'''True flies''' (Diptera)
:The largest species of this huge order is the species ''[[Gauromydas heros]]'', which can reach a length of 6 cm (2½ in) and a wingspan of 10 cm (4 in). Species of [[crane fly]], the largest of which is ''Holorusia brobdignagius'', can attain a length of 23 cm (9 in) but are extremely slender and much lighter in weight than ''Mydas''.
*'''Mayflies''' (Ephemeroptera)
:The largest mayflies are members of the genus ''[[Proboscidoplocia]]'' from [[Madagascar]]. These insects can reach a length of 5 cm (2 in).
*'''True bugs''' (Hemiptera)
:The largest species of this diverse, huge order is a [[giant water bug]], ''Lethocerus maximus''. This species can attain a length of 11.6 cm (4.6 in), although it is more slender and less heavy than most other insects of this size (principally the huge [[beetle]]s).
*'''Ants and allies''' (Hymenoptera)
:The largest of the [[ant]]s, and the heaviest species of the order, are the females of ''[[Dorylus helvolus]]'', reaching a length of 5 cm (2 in). The ant that averages the largest for the mean size of the whole colony is ''[[Dinoponera gigantea]]'', averaging up to 3.3 cm (1¼ in). The largest of the [[bee]] species, also in the order [[Hymenoptera]], is ''[[Megachile pluto]]'', the females of which can be 3.8 cm (1½ in) long, with a 6.3 cm (2½ in) wingspan. The largest wasp is probably the so-called [[tarantula hawk]] species ''[[Pepsis pulszkyi]]'', at up to 6.8 cm (2¾ in) long and 11.6 cm (4½ in) wingspan, although many other ''[[Pepsis]]'' approach a similar size.
*'''Termites''' (Isoptera)
:The largest of the [[termite]]s is the African species ''[[Macrotermes bellicosus]]''. The queen of this species can attain a length of 10.6 cm (4.2 in) and breadth of 5.5 cm (2¼ in); other adults, on the other hand, are about a third of the size.
[[Image:MP - Ornithoptera alexandrae 3.jpg|thumb|The [[Queen Alexandra's birdwing]] is the largest species of butterfly.]]
*'''Moths and allies''' (Lepidoptera)
:The largest species is probably either the [[Queen Alexandra's birdwing]], ''Ornithoptera alexandrae'', a butterfly, or the [[Atlas moth]], ''Attacus atlas'', a moth. Both of these species can exceed a length of 8 cm (3¼ in), a wingspan of 28 cm (11 in) and a weight of 12 g. Their larvae can weigh up to {{convert|58|g|oz|1|abbr=on}} or {{convert|1.9|oz|g|0|abbr=on}}<!-- was "58 g (1.9 oz)" which don't agree--we don't weigh caterpillars in troy ounces--> . However, the White Witch, ''[[Thysania agrippina]]'', has the longest recorded wingspan of the order, and indeed of any living insect, at up to at least 30 cm (12 in), though it is exceeded in surface area and mass by both ''[[Ornithoptera]]'' and ''[[Attacus]]''.
*'''Praying mantises''' (Mantodea)
:The largest species of this order is the [[African Mantis]]. The females of this species can attain a length of up to 12 inches. There have been reports of scientists discovering an unidentified species of mantis in southern China in the 1920s of 18 inches (45 cm.), but this is unconfirmed. Some larger species have been known to capture and consume frogs, lizards, mice, small birds, and even snakes.
*'''Dragonflies and damselflies''' (Odonata)
:The largest living species of [[odonate]] (the order that includes [[dragonflies]] and [[damselflies]]) is ''[[Megaloprepus caerulatus]]'', attaining a size of as much as 19 cm (7.5 in) across the wings and a body length of over 12 cm (4.7 in). The largest species of dragonfly ever is the extinct ''[[Meganeura]]''.
*'''Grasshoppers and allies''' ([[Orthoptera]])
:The largest of this widespread, varied complex of insects is the [[giant weta]], ''Deinacrida heteracantha'', of New Zealand. This formidable insect can weigh over 75 g (2.6 oz) and measure up to nearly 10 cm (4 in), rivaling the huge [[beetle]]s in size.
*'''Stick insects''' (Phasmatodea)
:The longest known [[stick insect]] is ''[[Phobaeticus chani]]'', with one specimen held in the [[Natural History Museum]] in London measuring {{convert|567|mm|in}} in total length.
This measurement is, however, with the front legs fully extended. The body alone still measures {{convert|357|mm|in}}. The species with the second longest body is ''[[Phobaeticus kirbyi]]'', which measures up to {{convert|328|mm|in}}, while the overall length (from the hind to the front legs) is up to {{convert|546|mm|in}}, and the body weight is up to 72 g (2.5 oz).{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The second longest insect in terms of total length is ''[[Phobaeticus serratipes]]'', measuring up to {{convert|555|mm|in}}.
*'''Stoneflies''' (Plecoptera)
:The largest species of [[stonefly]] is ''[[Pteronarcys californica]]'', a species favored by [[fishermen]] as lures. This species can attain a length of 5 cm (2 in) and a wingspan of nearly 7.5 cm (3 in).
*'''Booklice''' ([[Psocoptera]])
:The largest of this order of very small insects are the barklouse of the genus ''[[Psocus]]'', the top size of which is about 1 cm (0.4 in).
*'''Fleas''' (Siphonaptera)
:The largest species of [[flea]] is ''[[Hystrichopsylla schefferi]]''. This parasite is known exclusively from the fur of the [[Mountain Beaver]] and can reach a length of 1.2 cm (0.5 in).
*'''Thrips''' ([[Thysanoptera]])
:Members of the genus ''[[Phasmothrips]]'' are the largest kinds of [[thrip]]s. The maximum size of these species is approximately 1.3 cm (0.5 in).
==See also==
*[[Lists of superlatives]]
{{GFDL}}