Discover the World’s Largest Flying Insects (Up to 12 Inches!)

Insects are all over the world, and they’re one of the most diverse groups, with millions of different species living in virtually every habitat possible. They come in various different forms, from ladybugs to beetles. Of course, one of the most important things that sets insects apart is their ability to fly, but have you ever wondered just how big a flying insect can get? In this article, we’ve uncovered a list of the largest flying insects in the world. Let’s get started!

Wallace’s Giant Bee

The first insect on the list is Wallace’s giant bee (Megachile pluto), which is also the largest species of bee in the world. Wallace’s giant bees have a wingspan of 2.5 inches and a length of up to 1.5 inches (for females). They are a vulnerable species and inhabit the forests of only three islands in Indonesia. They are named after Alfred Russell Wallace, who discovered them in 1858. Wallace’s giant bees are particularly unusual, as they nest inside active termite mounds in trees. They eat nectar and pollen and, despite their large size, are not considered to be dangerous to humans.

Asian Giant Hornet

Possibly one of the most terrifying flying insects that you’re ever likely to encounter is the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). Asian giant hornets have a wingspan of around three inches and a body length of up to 1.75 inches. They are mainly found across Asia and parts of Russia. There have also been established nests in North America over the last few years, but they have since been eradicated. Asian giant hornets inhabit lowland forests and low mountains and typically make their nests low to the ground, even sometimes taking over abandoned rodent burrows. They have a particularly strong neurotoxic venom, which is injected through a stinger that can be as much as 0.25 inches long.

Mydas Fly

Flies can be some of the most annoying insects around, especially when they’re buzzing around our home, but thankfully, the common housefly doesn’t come anywhere near the size of Gauromydas heros. Gauromydas heros is a species of Mydas fly that is regarded as being the largest fly in the world, with a wingspan of 3.9 inches and a body length of around 2.8 inches. This fly inhabits Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay and is typically found in arid and semi-arid regions. Their larvae live in ant nests and prey on other small insects. Adult females don’t eat at all, but males will feed on the nectar and pollen of various plants.

Goliath Beetle

The heaviest flying insects are the Goliath beetles (Goliathus spp.), which weigh approximately 1.4 to 1.75 ounces. They also have a body length of up to 4.5 inches, depending on the species. They are typically reddish-brown to black and have stunning white markings. Males also have a Y-shaped horn on their head. Goliath beetles are native to the tropical forests of Africa. Goliath beetle larvae weigh around twice as much as their adult counterparts and eat decaying wood and plant matter. As adults, they eat sugary food, such as tree sap and rotten fruit.

Tarantula Hawk

Some of the largest wasps in the world are tarantula hawks, which are spider wasps in the Pepsis and Hemipepsis genera. These wasps have a wingspan of up to three inches and can reach lengths of approximately 2.5 inches. As their name suggests, these wasps actually prey on tarantulas. Female tarantula hawks paralyze their prey and then drag it into a burrow. She then lays eggs on the abdomen of the spider, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the spider before eventually emerging as adult wasps several weeks later. Tarantula hawks have a widespread distribution and can be found across Australia, Africa, Asia, and both North and South America.

Titan Beetle

Although they don’t fly very much due to their large size, the titan beetle (Titanus giganteus) still makes the list due to its massive length of 6.5 inches. Titan beetles are the largest beetles in the world and inhabit tropical rainforests in South America. They are a dark, reddish-brown color and have spiny hairs across their bodies. Titan beetle larvae feed on decaying wood, but adults do not eat anything at all and live for only a few weeks.

Giant Petaltail

Next is the giant petaltail dragonfly (Petalura ingentissima), which has a wingspan of 6.3 inches.  Giant petaltails are black, with yellowish markings on their bodies. They are native to the eastern coast of Queensland in Australia, where they can be found near streams and swamps. In their adult form, they eat a variety of insects. However, in their larval form, they eat small fish and aquatic invertebrates. The larvae are unique, as they often live in burrows along stream banks. Giant petaltails have several predators, both as adults and as larvae, including fish, frogs, and birds.

Giant Hawker

The next flying insect on the list is the giant hawker dragonfly (Tetracanthagyna plagiata). These dragonflies have a slightly larger wingspan than the giant petaltail, reaching 6.42 inches. Giant hawkers have black bodies with yellowish markings on the synthorax and are approximately 3.9 inches long. They live in Southeast Asia, where they are mainly found in forests. Their larvae are most often found close to slow-moving streams. Giant hawkers eat a variety of other insects and are most active around dawn and dusk.

Giant Red-Winged Grasshopper

Widely regarded as one of the largest grasshoppers in the world, the giant red-winged grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata) has a wingspan of up to 9.4 inches. Although their name makes you think of hopping rather than flying, these grasshoppers are capable of flight, and the red coloration on their wings is more prominent when they are extended. Giant red-winged grasshoppers are native to Central and South America, where they inhabit both forests and grasslands. They eat a variety of plants, and in some areas, they are regarded as pests due to feeding on crops.

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

Coming in just short of the top spot is the largest butterfly in the world, the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae), which has a wingspan of 11 inches. Females are larger than males and have a brown appearance, with white chevrons on the forewings and yellow triangles on the hindwings. Males are a stunning blueish-green, with a black central area. Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is endemic to the lowland rainforests of Papua New Guinea. As larvae, they consume mainly leaves from pipevine plants, while adults consume nectar. Due to their large size, the adults have few predators. However, unfortunately, these stunning butterflies are classified as an endangered species, as their habitat is threatened by logging and agricultural expansion.

White Witch Moth

The largest flying insect in the world is the white witch moth, with a wingspan of 12 inches. However, their body is actually very small, despite the huge wingspan. They have a greyish appearance, which leads to their other common names being the great grey witch and the ghost moth. These huge moths typically live in Central and South America, although some have also been observed in the United States. White witch moths (Thysania agrippina) inhabit forests, where their larvae eat legumes and the adults eat nectar. Little is known about this species, but they’re not considered to be pests.

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