Strange looking insects

Continuing with the strange-looking things for the posts this month.

 In the “ furry friends and strange animals” category, insects are second to none. Some of them look so peculiar that they could have starred in any science fiction movie without any make-up. Here are some examples of this.

Puss moth (Cerura vinula)

A species from the family of night butterflies. A large white or greyish-white furry moth, the Puss moth is named after the cat-like appearance of the adult. The female is generally larger and also differs in having a grey hindwing and sometimes forewing. In the larval phase,  as a caterpillar, it is characterized by an unusual appearance, which it becomes in a threatening situation to scare the enemy away – red flagella protrude from the abdomen, while a pink rim appears around the head, and two black spots imitating eyes above it. Additionally, the fork-tailed caterpillar can squirt formic acid towards its opponents.

Hercules beetle (Dynastes Hercules)

Also known as a rhinoceros beetle, the Hercules beetle is the longest and is the strongest creature on Earth for its size — it can carry 850 times its weight! That’s like a person carrying seven elephants! native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world.

Brahmin Moth Caterpillar (Brahmaeidae)

known as “Owl moths” and “Brahmin moths” are a very small family of moths with about forty known species. They are found in Asia, Europe, and Africa where they form several divergent but related evolutionary groups. This particular caterpillar resembles something altogether alien. Males have comb-like, feathery antennae, which are often feathered on only one side instead of two. Larvae often have remarkable appendages,  whip-like tentacles, hairs, and/or horns. Their tentacle-like spindles reaching up from the abdomen serve as a (likely very effective) defense mechanism.

Giant long-legged katydid (Macrolyristes corporalis)

Also known as bush crickets, bushcricket, or even long-horned grasshopper., think of these green leafy-looking things as giant grasshoppers. They are most active at night and because they look like leaves it’s easy for them to hide in plants and trees. Some katydids can be as big as or even bigger than your hand! This bizarre insect gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘bizarre.’ Not only is this insect a weird-looking bug but it is also one of the largest insects that roam this planet.

Sunspider/Camel Spider (Solifugae)

Formerly Solpugida also spelled sun spider, also called sun scorpion, wind scorpion, or camel spider, any of more than 1,000 species of the arthropod class Arachnida whose common name refers to their habitation of hot dry regions as well as to their typically golden color. The Camel Spider, neither a true scorpion nor a true spider, can grow to six inches in length. While there are many urban legends about their supposed danger to humans, they are not venomous or aggressive.

Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)

The name says it all. This truly gigantic tarantula is so large it has been known to eat entire birds. These rain forest inhabitants can have a leg span up to eleven inches, a life span of up to 25 years, and will bite humans if threatened.

The spike-headed katydid (Panacanthus cuspidatus)

The common names spiny-headed katydid, spine-headed katydids, spike-headed katydids, thorny devil katydid, thorny devil bush cricket, and similar variations of the sort. It is an example of nocturnal, predatory carnivorous katydids, found in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforests, such as in Yasuní National Park. The species in this genus are characterized by their spike-covered bodies, it doesn’t just appear to wear a crown; its body is covered in armor-like thorns,  which allow it to blend in with the vegetation on which it lives and discourage potential predators.

Wattle Cup Caterpillar (Calcarifera ordinate)

The Wattle Cup Caterpillar is a moth of the family Limacodidae. It is widespread in northern Australia, south of Geraldton, Alice Springs, and Brisbane. The wingspan is about 30 mm. Adults are creamy brown with lines of dots on the forewings. But the Caterpillar stage is the most colorful and amazing part of its life. The Evolution doesn’t exactly make sense, does it? First, it decides to make the most colorful and enticing caterpillar on the planet, then it decides to cover the creepy-crawly in thorns – and lots of them! Found only throughout various parts of Northern Australia, we’ve heard that this quirky caterpillar, known as Calcarifera ordinate, has a potent sting that is more painful than three simultaneous wasp stings!

Assassin bug (Narvesus carolinensis)

characterized by a thin neck-like structure connecting the narrow head to the body. They range in size from 5 to 40 mm (0.2 to 1.6 inches). An assassin bug uses its short three-segmented beak to pierce its prey and then it uses its straw-like mouth to inject prey with a toxin that liquefies their insides, which it then sucks back up through its straw mouth. How creepy is that?! Although assassin bugs are generally black or deep brown, some species are brightly colored. Most members of the family live outdoors and prey on other insects. However, some suck blood from vertebrates, including humans, and transmit diseases.

Brazilian Treehopper (Bocydium globulare)

Picture six spindly legs, wings like a locust, and a twig emerging in place of a neck, covered in bumpy globes…Yes, that is the Brazilian treehopper, one of the weirdest bugs that look too strange to be true. Its characteristic feature is a strange growth on the top of the head resembling an antenna or bells. Its function is not exactly known – it is only known that the spherical formations that are part of this growth are made of chitin and are empty inside. Scientists still don’t know what the sphere ornamentation is actually for, but they do know that treehoppers feed off the sap from plant stems.

Goliath beetle (Goliathus Lamarck)

The goliath beetle is one of the largest insects on earth. Goliath beetles measure from 60–110 millimeters (2.4–4.3 in) for males and 50–80 millimeters (2.0–3.1 in) for females, as adults, and can reach weights of up to 80–one hundred grams (2.8–3.5 oz) 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.

Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)

also known as the Peruvian giant yellow-leg centipede or Amazonian giant centipede, is a centipede in the genus Scolopendra. It is the largest centipede species in the world. This yellow-legged centipede stays true to its name, reaching a length of twelve inches ( 30 centimeters)! Known for their aggressive nature, they have been known to prey on mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods alike.

Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus americanus)

Giant water bugs are one of the largest insects in the world. They found ponds and streams across the world. This giant insect can grow up to four inches in length. They also have large yet powerful pincers. Using these pincers water bugs can deliver an extremely painful bite

It’s an insect that makes a surprise attack on prey when it comes closer. Once a water bug catches a prey it would immediately inject a strong injective enzyme into the prey using the pincers. Then they suck the remaining semi-liquid part of the prey.

Alien Caterpillar (Daphnis nerii)

Known also as the Oleander Hawk-moth, these guys are amazing for several reasons. First, they look like something out of a science fiction book. When they are first born, they are a pale blue color. This slowly changes to green as the larvae age and become adults. The eerie blue eyes and the strange black brows make them look like Martians, but although they may be cool to look at, they aren’t helpful when it comes to seeing. They aren’t at all helpful when it comes to seeing because they aren’t eyes. They are spots.

When in the caterpillar stage, Daphnis nerii feed primarily on Nerium oleander leaves. The leaves of this plant are toxic to humans and several other animals;

Orchid Mantis/Spiny Flower Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)

The spiny flower mantis may closely resemble the local South African flora, but it isn’t as delicate a creature as you may think. This species mimics parts of the orchid flower. The four walking legs resemble flower petals, and the toothed front pair is used as in other mantises for grasping prey. Like the vast majority of mantids, the lovely flower mantis is a rapacious cannibal, devouring any of its species that it may come across. Despite being only 1.5 inches long, the female can produce an egg sac that is three times that long.

Giant Silk Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

The giant silk moth is a moth from the royal moth family that’s lives in North America. . It’s earned the “giant” in its name: the insect has an impressive wingspan of 5.9 inches (15 cm)! And: because they eat so much as caterpillars, the adults don’t eat anything at all. When they come out of their cocoons, they don’t even have mouths anymore. That’s why they only live for one season.

Pale tussock (Calliteara podibunda)

A species of nocturnal butterfly of the family Erebidae. The wingspan is 40–60 mm. Female: Front wing greyish white dusted with dark, and having dark wavy diagonal lines edged with pure white on the inner side. Hindwing white with an indication of a dark submarginal band. Male: Front wing olive-grey with the black median area and darker lines. In its mature stage, it is a small,  hairy gray moth. In the caterpillar phase, however, it looks like a green hairy monster. It can be found in Europe and Anatolia. One reason for all the attention they receive (during late summer and early fall) is that, unfortunately, the hairs on these caterpillars can cause a very itchy rash. … The prickly hairs are a defense mechanism (they are not poisonous or venomous).

Giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros)

Also known as the rhinoceros’ cockroach and Queensland giant cockroach. This is the heaviest cockroach species. They can weigh up to thirty-five grams, which is almost as heavy as a golf ball. These giant cockroaches like to burrow about one meter into the ground. These cockroaches are native to Australia and are mostly found in tropical and subtropical parts of Queensland.

Tarantula Hawk (pepsis formosa)

It is a spider wasp that typically preys on tarantulas. It is the insect of New Mexico that belongs to the members of the spider wasp family. The tarantula hawk is the largest Central American spider wasp, reaching a length up to three inches (75 mm) with a wingspan measuring four inches (100 mm). Tarantula hawks are brightly-colored wasps with wings that show black or metallic blue colors. Like other spider wasps, they have large eyes with antennae along with long legs that are adapted to powerful flight. They have one of the most powerful stings, but they are thought to be as lethal as that of honey bees. Hooked legs and a stinger help these spider wasps prey on tarantulas, which is their favorite source of food)

Titan beetle (Titanus giganteus)

Like the Hercules beetle, the Titan beetle is one of the largest beetle species. It is the largest known beetle in the Amazon rain forest and one of the largest insect species in the world. It typically lives in the rain forests of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, the Guianas, and north-central Brazil. Adult titan beetles can grow up to 6.5 inches in length. They have super strong mandibles (jaws) that can easily slice a pencil in half!

Thorn bug (Umbonia crassicornis)

Thorn bugs look just like thorns, but not just any thorns — they each have a cool-looking brightly colored thorn sticking out of their heads! This tall, essentially perpendicular thorn-like pronotum discourages birds and other predators from eating it, if only by mistakenly confusing it with a thorn. Typically, the adult is green or yellow with reddish lines and brownish markings. They are part of the treehopper family. The species is restricted to warmer climates where temperatures stay, on average, above zero. This limits the species to the tropical regions of Northern South America to Mexico and Florida.

Devil’s flower mantis (Idolomantis diabolica)

These mantises are very good at mimicking the flowers they sit on. They will wait completely still until prey arrives, which they will then snatch right up. It is one of the largest species of praying mantises and is possibly the largest that mimics flowers. They like to eat flies, moths, butterflies, and beetles. Thousands of these insects are sold as pets every year!

Antlion (Euroleon nostras)

Also known as doodlebugs and found throughout Europe, “antlion” is a name thought to go back to classical antiquity, though experts generally agree that it relates to the fact that their juvenile diet consists mainly of ants (the predatory nature of the larva, which traps ants and other small insects in pits dug into the ground). The “lion” perhaps relates to the European lore that named predatory lions as “king of the beasts.” They are named for Antlions are found throughout the world, primarily in dry, sandy regions. Whatever the case is, once they reach maturity, the antlions usually switch to a mainly floral diet.

Peacock Spider  (Maratus Volans)

Just look at this colorful spider! The Australian peacock spider has colorful stripes on its head and a kind of plate with shimmering scales on its abdomen. It can raise this, just like how a peacock spreads its beautiful feathers. Both animals use this trick to impress the ladies. To see the peacock spider’s colorful plate, you’d need pretty good eyes: these insects only grow to 0.14 to 0.23 inches (3.8 mm to 6 mm) and are very fast.

Tailed Emperor Butterfly Caterpillar  (Polyura sempronius)

If you ever find yourself on the east coast of Australia between March and April, inspecting an Illawarra Flame Tree, and you happen to see a small dragon, don’t be alarmed…it’s probably just a tailed emperor butterfly caterpillar. There’s nothing that looks abnormal if you only see its body; however, its armor-plated head covered in horns is exceptionally strange, even scary looking, which secures it a place in this weirdest bugs list.

Snake Caterpillar (Deilephila elpenor)

 known as the Elephant Hawk-moth, is a large moth of the Sphingidae family. The species is found throughout Britain and Ireland. Elephant hawk-moth larvae resemble elephant trunks. The caterpillars are typically deep brown with large eyespots, but they may also be found in green coloration. In adulthood, the elephant hawk-moth becomes beautiful shades of gold and pink. The moths are nocturnal and feed mostly on honeysuckle. The elephant hawk-moth is found throughout England, Wales, and Ireland, as well as in the Pacific Northwest portion of the U.S. It is not known whether the birds believe that the caterpillar resembles a snake, or whether they are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldly-patterned shape.

 known as the Elephant Hawk-moth, is a large moth of the Sphingidae family. The species is found throughout Britain and Ireland. Elephant hawk-moth larvae resemble elephant trunks. The caterpillars are typically deep brown with large eyespots, but they may also be found in green coloration. In adulthood, the elephant hawk-moth becomes beautiful shades of gold and pink. The moths are nocturnal and feed mostly on honeysuckle. The elephant hawk-moth is found throughout England, Wales, and Ireland, as well as in the Pacific Northwest portion of the U.S. It is not known whether the birds believe that the caterpillar resembles a snake, or whether they are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldly-patterned shape.

Australian walking stick (Extatosoma tiaratum)

Australian walking sticks are large, light brown insects with curled tails that have adapted to look like a branch of a tree. The walking stick’s Latin name, pseudophasmatidae, means “ghost,” a tribute to the insect’s camouflage abilities. When they sense danger, these woody-looking insects give off a scent that smells like peanut butter to humans. As you can see, it’s easy for these guys to hide in trees because they look like the bark and branches they sit on.

Filbert Weevil (Curculio occidentis)

Filbert weevil is one of the most unusual and beautiful insects in the world. It’s a long snout that characterizes the unique look of this insect. Despite their appeal, filbert weevils are harmful. Because they feed on acorns of oak trees.

Calleta silkmoth caterpillar (Eupackardia calleta)

The bizarre part of things is that they don’t look like what they will become. The caterpillar is typically bright to dark green, with spiky spots all over the upper section of the body. Sometimes brownish-yellow and black too. Pro-Tip, we’d recommend avoiding them at all costs. This big caterpillar has wonderful colors and spiky barbs all over their backs. You’ll find these guys in Guatemala, Mexico, and parts of the southern United States.

Giraffe-Necked Weevil (Trachelophorus Giraffa)

Weevils are generally some of the most unique-looking insects out there, but this one is considered the most bizarre in appearance. This type of weevil is a variant that makes Madagascar its home. The males will fight each other by hitting each other with their necks to try to knock the other off of the leaf. The long neck serves no other purpose than to attract a mate who might be interested after the fight.

Giant Malaysian Shield Mantis (Rhombodera basalis)

A species of praying mantis found in Malaysia. In an emergency, she takes a pose in which she looks like a space ballerina.

Flannel Moth (Megalopyge opercularis)

Where’s the front? And the back? And what even is it? Even as a caterpillar, the flannel moth has a lot of hair. It looks like thick, cozy fur. But watch out: these are stinging hairs, which are poisonous and can cause headaches, nausea, and even paralysis in humans. Don’t touch! Thus, cute fuzzball  is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States

Water Strider (Gerridae)

The water strider is an insect that most people may be familiar with because they commonly live near ponds or other such aquatic areas. Those that are not familiar with this critter…well they can glide over the water. These bugs use surface tension to their advantage so that they can effortlessly move across bodies of water without stopping. They can do this because they have little hairs on their feet that allow them to keep back water while also using air to keep afloat.

 Scorpionfly (Mecoptera)

These flies look like a cross between a scorpion and a wasp. Scorpionflies are named because of the external male genitalia which looks like the stingers of scorpions. Scorpion flies cannot sting. Females do not have this structure. This species of scorpionfly is found from New England south to Tennessee and west to Ohio. It is known as the snow scorpionfly because it is active in the winter.

Giant Prickly Stick Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)

This formidable stick insect can grow up to eight inches long and is covered with giant spikes that look like thorns, hence the descriptive name. A master of camouflage, this native of Papua New Guinea will usually try and blend in with its surroundings, but if threatened, it will release a chemical that smells like peanut butter to scare away predators.

Giant weta (Deinacrida)

This giant insect from New Zealand looks like a massive beetle but is a cricket. This large insect is endemic to New Zealand. Giant weta can’t jump or fly as they have a massive bodies. Wetas also have noticeably long legs and antennas. The largest weta ever captured weighed about seventy grams — about as heavy as a tennis ball. This was a rare case though. They normally weigh about thirty-five grams — about the same weight as the giant burrowing cockroach. Apart from the immense size, another interesting fact about giant Wetas is how they breathe. Because they don’t have lungs and breathe through holes in their exoskeleton.

Gargantuan Walking Stick ( Ctenomorpha gargantua)

It is considered the longest stick insect species in Australia, and the second-largest in the world. But so far, almost nothing is known about the biology or ecology of the species in the wild. Researchers think that these stick insects spend their life high up in the tree canopies of the Australian tropics, and that could be why spying on them in the wild is uncommon.

Hummingbird Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)

One of the most wonderful and unusual insects in the world. They resemble a hummingbird but a moth. The wings, long tongue, flight, movement, and even their sound have a greater resemblance to a hummingbird. These amazing moths are found in the warmer regions of Southern Europe and Northern Africa. An adult hummingbird moth has a wingspan of 1.6 – 1.8 inches. They have brown forewings and brown-orange hindwings. Hummingbird moths can be spotted in both daytime and dusk. They hover over the flowers just like the hummingbirds.

Dragon-headed Katydid (Eumegalodon blanchardi)

The dragon-headed katydid is a type of bush cricket, so named for its huge mandibles that are used to eat a variety of fruits and other insects. Katydids are well-camouflaged to look like leaves to avoid predators.

Spiny Oak Slug Moth Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii)

These caterpillars which are part of the Limacodidae moth family are beautiful – just don’t touch them. They have venom in their spikes and the sting leaves a painful itch. The spiny oak-slug moth, like other slug caterpillar moths, has a chunky, fuzzy body with wide, rounded wings. The sluglike caterpillars (“spiny oak-slugs”) are green, yellow, orange, and/or red. As with other slug caterpillars, the heads are small and hard to see. At the front, there are three pairs of large, hornlike spines with dark-tipped bristles, and at the rear, there are two more pairs of these hornlike, bristly spines. Additional clumps of spines run in rows along the back and sides. Sometimes, there are two pairs of red or dark spots on the back.

Honeypot Ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus)

Honeypot Ant is very scary at first look since their abdomen is enormously swollen. As the name says, the Honeypot Ant stores honey in their abdomen for future use. And many have even proved that the honey stored in the abdomen was pretty sweet, though weird to taste. Unlike other insects such as honeybees or wasps, the pot ants store on themselves to survive in near future. Pot ants reside specifically in southern parts of the United States.

Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar (Citheronia regalis)

As a mature adult, the Regal Moth has lovely coloring and an impressive wingspan of up to six inches. But as a caterpillar, called the hickory horned devil, it is not so much elegant as it’s just plain weird looking. Mature hickory horned devil caterpillars are quite large and can grow up to 5.5 inches (14 cm) long. .”  The giant caterpillar (which can be as big as a hot dog) is harmless. Overall, the caterpillar resembles a ferocious dragon, but it is not dangerous or harmful. The spines are not poisonous and not very sharp. … Damage Both the caterpillar and the adult moth are completely harmless. Common in North America’s southern and eastern states, the hickory horned devil is now relatively rare in the north.

Pandora Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Eumorpha pandorus)

Caterpillars are large, green, or red with a swollen third thorax segment into which the head and first two thoracic segments can be drawn. The abdomen has a small white spot on the second segment and big white oval spots on the last five spiracles. They also have the characteristic “horn” at the end of the abdomen. This is not a stinger, and the caterpillar is harmless to humans. As a caterpillar, it feasts on plants, especially Virginia creeper and grape leaves. As an adult, it hovers in front of flowers and uses its long tongue, or proboscis, to sip the nectar.

Oak Treehopper (Platycotis vittate)

Those bugs feed gregariously on oaks throughout the eastern United States. These insects are somewhat closely related to leafhoppers but tend to be larger and to have the forward part of the thorax variously modified into bumps and spines. … This insect overwinters as females in leaf litter.

Orange Assassin Bug (Pselliopus barberi)

The assassin bugs are also known as bloodsuckers, kissing bugs, or coned nose bugs. commonly found along the southeastern and east coast of the United States. These insects are highly predatory and spend most of their time hunting. There are over 155 assassin bug species, and they are all similar by one specific characteristic, and that is, they are equipped with a pointed, curved mouth known as proboscis, which they use to stab and kill their prey, and also to defend themselves from predators.

Florida Predatory Stink Bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus)

It is a species of carnivorous shield bug in the family Pentatomidae. The shimmering color patterns on these insects are gorgeous. It is considered beneficial because it feeds on many species of pest insects. They also feed on things such as grasshoppers and other small insects. This species also hunts in a pack, with up to twelve

Saddleback Moth Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)

The saddleback caterpillar measures about an inch long, the “saddle” consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. The contrasting colors, bright eyespot, and long spikes on this caterpillar make it a feast for the eyes. Just don’t touch !!! Its many spines are capable of delivering a sting you won’t soon forget. The saddleback caterpillar’s hollow quills are connected to poison glands beneath its skin, and the pain and swelling from contact with them can rival or surpass that of a bee sting. … The burning pain and discomfort can last for several hours.

Glasswinged Butterfly (Greta Oto)

We all agree that butterflies are beautiful, so I decided to choose a very distinct species for this list. This baseball-size flier that lives throughout Central and South America, is one of the hundreds of butterfly species with transparent wings. Transparency is rare in butterflies as most use their colors and markings to ward off predators. It is known for its transparent wings, which allow it to camouflage without extensive coloration.

Hag Moth Caterpillar ( Phobetron pithecium)

Not only is this one of the weirdest-looking caterpillars you’ll ever see, but it is also one of the most “smartly” designed by evolution. The caterpillar escapes detection by looking like a spider molt, or leafy debris. Other cool traits about the hag moth are that it has suction cups on its prolegs, and its arms can fall off without harming the caterpillar.