List of largest insects#Stick insects (Phasmatodea)

{{further|Odonata}}

The largest wingspan of any living species of odonate (the order that includes dragonflies and damselflies) belongs to Megaloprepus caerulatus, reaching 19 centimeters (7.5 inches) in wingspan. Petalura ingentissima has the largest wingspan of any dragonfly at {{cvt|165|mm|in}}, although Tetracanthagyna plagiata comes in with a close second of {{cvt|163|mm|in}}.

The largest wing surface area of any living species of odonate belongs to Chlorogomphus papilio, a dragonfly.

The longest body length of any living species of odonate belongs to Mecistogaster lucretia with a body length of {{cvt|155|mm|in}}.

The heaviest living species of odonate is probably either Petalura ingentissima or Tetracanthagyna plagiata. However, other species such as Anax strenuus and Anotogaster sieboldii and other species in Petalura, Tetracanthagyna,

Anax and Anotogaster could also be contenders.

See also the extinct genera Meganeuropsis and Meganeura, although they are not certain to be included in the modern dragonfly order.

{{further|Ephemeroptera}}

The largest mayflies are members of the genus Proboscidoplocia from Madagascar. These insects can reach a length of {{cvt|5|cm|in}}.

{{further|Palaeodictyoptera}}

The largest insect of the order Palaeodictyoptera, Mazothairos enormis from the Carboniferous period, reached a wingspan of about 56 centimeters (22 in).{{Cite journal|last1=Kukalová-Peck|first1=Jarmila|last2=Richardson|first2=Eugene S.|date=1983|title=New Homoiopteridae (Insecta: Paleodictyoptera) with wing articulation from Upper Carboniferous strata of Mazon Creek, Illinois|journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology|volume=61|issue=7|pages=1670–1687|doi=10.1139/z83-218}}

{{further|Orthoptera}}

File:knights.weta.750pix.jpg]]

Arachnacris katydids and Tropidacris grasshoppers reach up to {{cvt|12–15|cm|in}} in length and {{cvt|23–27.5|cm|in}} in wingspan, making them the largest by these measurements.{{cite book|last=Flindt |first=R. |title=Amazing Numbers in Biology |url=https://archive.org/details/amazingnumbersbi00flin_503 |url-access=limited |year=2006 |publisher=Springer |page=[https://archive.org/details/amazingnumbersbi00flin_503/page/n20 10] |isbn=978-3-540-30146-2}} The largest Saga and Pseudophyllus bush crickets are only a few centimeters smaller.

The heaviest of this widespread, varied complex of insects is the Little Barrier Island giant weta, Deinacrida heteracantha, of New Zealand; one specimen weighed {{cvt|71|g|oz}} and measured nearly {{cvt|10|cm|in}}, giving it one of the largest insect weights ever known. These heavyweight insects can be over {{convert|9|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.

{{further|Titanoptera}}

Related to modern orthopterans, Triassic insects of the extinct suborder of Titanoptera[http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1100048 Order Orthoptera], Orthoptera Species File (Version 5.0/5.0); retrieved 20 August 2022 surpassed them in size. The wingspan of Gigatitan vulgaris was as large as of 40 centimetres (16 in).{{Cite journal |last1=Park |first1=Tae-Yoon S. |last2=Kim |first2=Do-Yoon |last3=Nam |first3=Gi-Soo |last4=Lee |first4=Mirinae |date=2022-05-06 |title=A new titanopteran Magnatitan jongheoni n. gen. n. sp. from southwestern Korean Peninsula |journal=Journal of Paleontology |volume=96 |issue=5 |language=en |pages=1111–1118 |doi=10.1017/jpa.2022.30 |s2cid=248592776 |issn=0022-3360|doi-access=free }} Clatrotitan andersoni also reached a huge size, having a forewing of 13.8 centimetres (5.4 in) long.{{Cite journal |last=McKeown |first=Keith C. |date=1937-05-15 |title=New fossil insect wings (Protohemiptera, family Mesotitanidae) |url=https://journals.australian.museum/mckeown-1937-rec-aust-mus-201-3137/journals.australian.museum/mckeown-1937-rec-aust-mus-201-3137/ |journal=Records of the Australian Museum |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=31–37 |doi=10.3853/j.0067-1975.20.1937.565 |issn=0067-1975|doi-access=free }}

{{further|Dermaptera}}

The largest of the earwigs is the Saint Helena earwig (Labidura herculeana), which is up to {{cvt|8.4|cm|in}} in length. There are no recent records of this species and it is generally considered extinct.{{cite web |title=Labidura |url=http://www.kidstonmill.org.uk/Labidura.htm |accessdate=2011-02-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717014815/http://www.kidstonmill.org.uk/Labidura.htm |archivedate=2011-07-17 |url-status=dead }} The largest certainly living species is the Australian giant earwig (Titanolabis colossea), which is about {{cvt|5|cm|in}} long.

{{further|Mecoptera}}

The largest scorpionfly, the common scorpionfly (Panorpa communis), can reach a body length of about {{convert|30|mm|abbr=on}}.[http://www.uksafari.com/scorpionfly.htm UK Safari]{{fcn|date=April 2023}}

{{further|Phasmatodea}}

Image:Giant Stick Insect (Phobaeticus serratipes) on Sylvain (8727651923).jpg, one of the longest stick insects]]

File:Distribution insects exceeding 50cm.png

The longest known stick insects are also the longest known insects, notably species in the tribe Pharnaciini, but they are generally relatively lightweight because of their slender shape. Female of these stick insects usually reach considerably larger sizes than males of the same species.{{cite book | last1=Bradler | first1=S. | last2=Buckley | first2=T.R. | year=2018 | title=Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society | chapter=Biodiversity of Phasmatodea | pages=281–313 | volume=II | editor=Foottit, R.G. | editor2=Adler, P.H. | publisher=John Wiley & Sons Ltd | doi=10.1002/9781118945582.ch11 | isbn=978-1-118-94557-5 }} The longest known is a currently undescribed species of Phryganistria, informally referred to as Phryganistria "chinensis", that was discovered in China in 2014.{{cite web|last=Baggaley|first=K.|date=6 May 2016 |url=https://www.popsci.com/introducing-worlds-longest-insect|title=World's Longest Insect Is Two Feet Long|publisher=PopularScience|access-date=25 June 2023}} A wild collected female kept at the Insect Museum of West China in Chengdu was the record holder with a total length, including extended legs, of {{cvt|62.4|cm|in}}, and a body length of {{cvt|36.1|cm|in}},{{cite web|url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/05/c_135336786.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160508170315/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/05/c_135336786.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= May 8, 2016 |title=Longest Insect discovered in China}}{{cite web|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-discovery-of-the-world-s-longest-insect-crawling-tree-branches-insect-museum-of-west-china/LwUh5A_WKoT6Jg?hl=en|title=The discovery of the world's longest insect. Crawling "tree branches"|accessdate=10 March 2023|publisher=Google Arts and Culture}} but it was surpassed by one of its captive bred young that reached {{cvt|64|cm|in}} in total length.{{Cite news| last=Xuequan | first=M. | date=8 August 2017 |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com//english/2017-08/08/c_136509687.htm | title=China breeds world's largest insect | publisher=xinhuanet | access-date=25 June 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/11/bugs-beyond-belief-shining-the-spotlight-on-celebrity-creepy-crawlies-549559/|title=Bugs beyond belief! Shining the spotlight on celebrity creepy-crawlies|date=29 November 2018|website=Guinness World Records|access-date=25 June 2023}}

Other very large species, formerly believed to be longest but now considered second longest is Phobaeticus chani; a specimen held in the Natural History Museum in London is {{cvt|56.7|cm|in}} in total length, including extended legs, and it has a body length of {{cvt|35.7|cm|in}}.{{cite web|url= http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/october/worlds-longest-insect-revealed.html |title= World's longest insect revealed |accessdate=2008-10-16 |location=London |publisher=Natural History Museum |date=2008-10-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081019104055/http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/october/worlds-longest-insect-revealed.html |archivedate=2008-10-19}}Seow-Choen, F. (1995). "The longest insect in the world". Malayan Naturalist 48: 12.{{cite journal |last1=Hennemann |first1=F. H. |last2=Conle |first2=O.V. |name-list-style=amp |title=Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther, 1953, including the description of the world's longest insect, and a survey of the family Phasmatidae Gray, 1835 with keys to the subfamilies and tribes (Phasmatodea: "Anareolatae": Phasmatidae) |journal=Zootaxa |volume=1906 |pages=1–316 |publisher=Magnolia Press |location=Auckland, New Zealand |issn=1175-5326|url= http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01906p316f.pdf |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date=October 2008|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.1906.1.1 }} Females of the Australian Ctenomorpha gargantua have been confirmed at up to {{cvt|56.5|cm|in}} in total length (including extended legs and cerci, the latter of which are unusually long in this species); one captive individual was measured at {{cvt|61.5|cm|in}}, but that size remains unconfirmed.{{cite book |last1=Brock |first1=Paul D. |last2=Hasenpusch |first2=Jack W. |date=2009 |title=The Complete Field Guide to Stick and Leaf Insects of Australia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x1Qx40oGXJ8C |publisher=CSIRO Publishing |page=106 |isbn=9780643094185}}{{cite web| last=Dean | first=S. | date=15 February 2016 | title=Gargantuan Aussie stick insect has babies in a world first | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/science/nature/article/2016/01/12/gargantuan-aussie-stick-insect-has-babies-world-first | publisher=Special Broadcasting Service | access-date=25 June 2023 }}{{cite web| last=Cane | first=S. | date=10 March 2014 | title=Australia's biggest stick insect found | url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2014/03/biggest-gargantuan-stick-insect-found/ | publisher=Australian National Geographic | access-date=25 June 2023 }} Another very large species is Phobaeticus kirbyi where the total length (including extended legs) is up to {{cvt|54.6|cm|in}} and the body alone up to {{cvt|32.8|cm|in}}.Brock, P. D. (1999). The amazing world of stick and leaf-insects. Essex, England: Cravitz. Another of the longest insect in terms of total length is Phobaeticus serratipes of Malaysia and Singapore, measuring up to {{convert|55.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length.{{Cite journal|last1 = Seow-Choen|first1 = F.|year = 1995|title = The longest insect in the world|journal = Malayan Nat.|volume = 48|page = 12}}

The spiny stick insect (Heteropteryx dilatata) of Southeast Asia does not reach the extreme lengths of its cousins, the body reaching up to {{convert|16|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, but it is much bulkier. The largest Heteropteryx weighed about {{convert|65|g|oz|abbr=on}} and was {{convert|3.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide across the thickest part of the body.

{{further|Blattodea}}

File:MP - Macropanesthia rhinoceros 2.jpg]]

The largest cockroach in length and wingspan is the South American Megaloblatta longipennis, at up to {{cvt|9.7|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{cvt|18–20|cm|in|abbr=on}}, respectively.{{cite book|author=Carwardine, M. |title=Animal Records |year=2007 |publisher=Natural History Museum, London |pages=229–230 |url=https://archive.org/details/naturalhistorymu0000carw|isbn=978-1-4027-5623-8}}{{cite web|title=Largest cockroach |url= http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-cockroach/ |publisher=Guinness World Records |accessdate=30 March 2018}} Other contenders for longest are Blaberus giganteus, which is found in the same general region and may reach a length of up to {{cvt|9|or|10|cm|in|abbr=on}}, depending on source,{{cite web|url= https://www.angelfire.com/oh2/Roaches/ |title=Allpet Roaches;Blattodea Rearing |website=Allpet |access-date=2019-07-15}}{{cite web|url= https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/images/Blaberus%20giganteus-%20Giant%20Cave%20Cockroach.pdf |title=Blaberus giganteus (Giant Cave Cockroach) |website=The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago |last=Davis |first=Shkora |year=2015}} and Princisia vanwaerebeki of Madagascar, which grows between 5.6 and 10 cm in length.{{cite journal |last=Delfosse |first=E. |year=2004 |title=Les blattes souffleuses de Madagascar |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318563118 |journal=Insectes |volume=153 |issue=4 |pages=19–22}} The heaviest is the Australian giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which can attain a length of {{cvt|8.4|cm|in}} and a weight of {{cvt|33.5|g|oz}}.

{{further|Termite}}

The largest of the termites is the African species Macrotermes bellicosus. The queen of this species can attain a length of {{cvt|10.6|cm|in}} and breadth of {{cvt|5.5|cm|in}}; other adults, however, are about a third of this size.

{{further|Mantis}}

The giant stick mantises Toxodera maxima and Ischnomantis gigas can reach lengths of over 17 cm, but are more gracile in build than other large mantises. Other species of Toxodera and Ischnomantis, and other genera of “stick mantises” (Heterochaeta, Solygia and Tauromantis), can attain lengths almost as large (over 16 cm).

Mantises of the tribe Hierodulini (of which Rhombodera fratricida is the largest known to science) can reach lengths of nearly {{cvt|13|cm|in}} and are more robust than comparably sized mantises of other genera (Tenodera, Macromantis, Idolomantis, Sphodromantis, Deroplatys, Plistospilota and Stagmatoptera). Some larger species have been known to capture and consume frogs, lizards, mice, small birds, small fish and even small snakes.

{{further|Hemiptera}}

File:Giantwaterbug.jpg walking over land]]

The heaviest species of this order are the giant water bugs Lethocerus grandis and Lethocerus maximus.{{cite journal |first=Perez-Goodwyn |last=P.J. |year=2006 |title=Taxonomic revision of the subfamily Lethocerinae Lauck & Menke (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) |journal=Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde, Serie A (Biologie) |volume=695 |pages=1–71}} These can surpass a length of {{cvt|12|cm|in}},{{Cite journal|last1=Haddad |first1=V. |last2=Schwartz |last3=Schwartz |last4=Carvalho |year=2010 |title=Bites Caused by Giant Water Bugs Belonging to Belostomatidae Family (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in Humans: A Report of Seven Cases |journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=130–133 |doi=10.1016/j.wem.2010.01.002|pmid=20591375 |doi-access= }} although they are more slender and less heavy than most other insects of this size (principally the huge beetles).

The largest wingspan of any hemipteran belongs to the largest species of cicada: Megapomponia imperatoria, which has a head-body length of about {{convert|7|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a wingspan of {{convert|18|-|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}.Burton, Maurice; Burton, Robert (2002). International Wildlife Encyclopedia. 4, Chickaree – crabs (3rd ed.). Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. p. 455. {{ISBN|0-7614-7270-3}}Flindt, R. (2006). Amazing Numbers in Biology, p. 10. {{ISBN|978-3540301462}} The cicadas of the genus Tacua can also grow to comparably large sizes.

The largest total length of any hemipteran belongs to Gigantometra gigas (the largest species of water strider), which has a leg span of more than {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

The largest type of aphid is the giant oak aphid (Stomaphis quercus), which can reach an overall length of {{convert|2|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20131229012106/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3302722/Giant-Oak-Aphid-hunt-is-on.html Giant Oak Aphid hunt is on]. The Telegraph (2007-08-08) The biggest species of leafhopper is Ledromorpha planirostris, which can reach a length of {{convert|2.8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[http://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au/learning/resources/Entomology/internalAnatomy/imagePages/Ledromorpha_planirostris.html Ledromorpha planirostris]. Bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au

{{further|Megaloptera}}

Megaloptera includes dobsonflies, alderflies and relatives. The largest is the dobsonfly Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi, which can have a wingspan of up to {{cvt|21.6|cm|in}}, making it the largest aquatic insect in the world by this measurement.{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/428458-largest-aquatic-insect-pterygota |title=Largest aquatic insect (by wingspan) |website=Guinness World Records |accessdate=4 April 2018 }} This species is native to China and Vietnam, and its body can be up to {{cvt|10.5|cm|in}} long.{{cite journal|author1=Xing Yue Liu |author2=Ding Yang |author3=Si Qin Ge |author4=Xing Ke Yang |year=2005 |title=Phylogenetic review of the Chinese species of Acanthacorydalis (Megaloptera, Corydalidae) |journal=Zoologica Scripta |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=373–387 |doi=10.1111/j.1463-6409.2005.00197.x |s2cid=84988447 }}

{{further|Neuroptera}}

File:Nymphes myrmeleonides 4.jpg]] These flying insects reach their largest size in Palparellus voeltzkowi, which can have a wingspan over {{convert|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/entomology/Entomology_Resources/Faunal_Projects/EPHP/htm/Palpares%20voeltzkowi.htm Palparellus voeltzkowi (Kolbe, 1906)]. Researcharchive.calacademy.org The largest lacewing is the Australian "blue eyes lacewing" (Nymphes myrmeleonides), which can measure up to {{convert|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length and span {{convert|11|cm|in|abbr=on}} across the wings.[http://bio-ditrl.sunsite.ualberta.ca/detail/?P_MNO=5221 Bio-Ditrl], Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706210325/http://bio-ditrl.sunsite.ualberta.ca/detail/?P_MNO=5221 |date=July 6, 2011 }} Some forms of this ancient order could grow extremely large during the Jurassic period and may have ranked among the largest insects ever.{{cite journal|author=Michael S. Engel|year=2005|title=A remarkable kalligrammatid lacewing from the Upper Jurassic of Kazakhstan (Neuroptera: Kalligrammatidae)|journal= Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science|volume=108 |issue=1|pages= 59–62|jstor=3628206|doi=10.1660/0022-8443(2005)108[0059:arklft]2.0.co;2|s2cid=86240200 }} Found in the Early Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, Makarkinia adamsi had wings nearly {{convert|140|-|160|mm|in|abbr=on}} in length.{{Cite journal|last1=Bechly |first1=G. |last2=Makarkin |first2=V. N. |year=2016 |title=A new gigantic lacewing species (Insecta: Neuroptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil confirms the occurrence of Kalligrammatidae in the Americas |journal=Cretaceous Research |volume=58 |pages=135–140 |doi=10.1016/j.cretres.2015.10.014 }}

{{further|Louse}}

These parasitic insects are typically modest in size. The largest known species is the hog louse, Haematopinus suis, a sucking louse that lives on large livestock like pigs and cattle. It can range up to {{convert|6|mm|in|abbr=on}} in length.[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Haematopinus_suis.html ADW: Haematopinus suis: Information]. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu

{{further|Plecoptera}}

File:Pteronarcys californica 2544.jpg]]

The largest species of stonefly is Pteronarcys californica of western North America, a species favored by fishermen as lures. This species can attain a length of {{convert|5|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a wingspan of over {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[http://blog.riverwoodfliesonline.com/?p=403 Pteronarcys californica – aka Giant Stonefly or Giant Salmonfly]. Riverwood Blog – Fly Fishing Gear & Guided Fishing Trips in Oregon (2009-04-20) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402122239/http://blog.riverwoodfliesonline.com/?p=403 |date=April 2, 2012 }}

{{further|Coleoptera}}

File:Dynastes hercules ecuatorianus MHNT.jpg, the world's longest beetle]]

Beetles constitute the most diverse order of organisms on earth, with about 400,000 species identified to this day. The most massive of them belong to the genera Goliathus, Megasoma, Chalcosoma, Titanus, Macrodontia, and Xixuthrus. The longest is the Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules, with a maximum overall length of at least {{cvt|18.1|cm|in}} including the very long pronotal horn. The longest overall beetle is a species of longhorn beetle, Batocera wallacei, from New Guinea, which can attain a length of {{convert|26.6|cm|in|abbr=on}}, about {{convert|19|cm|in|abbr=on}} of which is comprised by the long antennae.

{{further|Grylloblattodea}}

The largest icebug species, Grylloblatta campodeiformis, {{convert|3|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, excluding ovipositors and cerci, and are fairly elongate, wingless insects. They are a uniform honey-yellow in colour and covered with very short hair. Unlike some other species of grylloblatid, G. campodeiformis has eyes which have roughly 70 facets. The head is fairly flat and rounded. The thorax is elongate and over a third of the body length. The abdomen is composed of 10 segments and over half the body length. The legs are long and narrow (cursorial) with stout coxae and long femora.{{cite journal |title=A new species of Orthoptera, forming a new genus and family |journal=The Canadian Entomologist |date=1914 |last=Walker |first=Edmund |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=93–99 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3089008#page/109/mode/1up |accessdate=2014-12-19 |doi=10.4039/ent4693-3|s2cid=85329926 }} Their antennae are long ~{{convert|9|mm|in|abbr=on}} and thread-like. In adults, the number of antennal subsegments is variable, ranging from 24 to 27.{{cite journal |title=Sense organs on antennal flagellum of Grylloblata campodeiformis E.M. Walker (Orthoptera: Grylloblattodea) |journal=Transactions of the American Entomological Society |date=1976 |last=Slifer |first=Eleanor H. |volume=87 |issue=9 & 10 |pages=275–276 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16344458#page/553/mode/1up |accessdate=2014-12-25 }}

{{further|Hymenoptera}}

File:Stavenn Megachile pluto.jpg, the largest bee.]]

The largest of ants, and the heaviest species of the family, are the queens of Dorylus helvolus, reaching a length of {{cvt|5|cm|in}}. The ant that averages the largest for the mean size of the whole colony is Dinoponera gigantea, averaging up to {{cvt|3.3|cm|in|frac=4}}. Another ant that is native to Australia, Myrmecia brevinoda, workers are reported to be {{cvt|3.7|cm|in}} on average and queens are more than {{cvt|4|cm|in}} in length.Wood, Gerald The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats (1983) {{ISBN|978-0-85112-235-9}}

The largest of the bees is Megachile pluto, the females of which can be {{cvt|3.8|cm|in|frac=4}} long, with a 6.3-cm (2.5-in) wingspan.

The largest wingspan of any wasp (and of any hymenopteran) probably belongs to the so-called tarantula hawk species Pepsis heros, measuring up to {{cvt|12.2|cm|in}} in wingspan, although many other Pepsis species approach a similar size and other species of wasp can probably attain greater weights.

The heaviest wasp (and heaviest hymenopteran) is probably the giant scoliid wasp Megascolia procer, it can reach a body length of over {{cvt|7.7|cm|in}} and have a wingspan of {{cvt|11.6|cm|in}}.

The largest known social wasps are the queens of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). They can have a body length exceeding {{cvt|6|cm|in}} and a {{cvt|9.3|cm|in}} wingspan.[https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vespa_mandarinia/#physical_description] Vespa mandarinia factsheet

{{further|Lepidoptera}}

Image:MP - Ornithoptera alexandrae 3.jpg is the largest species of butterfly.]]

The largest lepidopteran species overall is often claimed to be either the Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae), a butterfly from Papua New Guinea, or the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), a moth from Southeast Asia. Both of these species can reach a body length of {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}, a wingspan of {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|12|g|oz|abbr=on}}. One Atlas moth allegedly had a wingspan of {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} but this measurement was not verified. The larvae in the previous species can weigh up to {{convert|58|and|54|g|oz|abbr=on}}, respectively.

However, the white witch of Central and South America, Thysania agrippina, has the widest recorded wingspan of the order, and indeed of any living insect, at up to {{cvt|30|cm|in}}. The verified record-sized Thysania spanned {{convert|30.8|cm|in|abbr=on}} across the wings, although specimens have been reported to {{convert|36|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

The largest lepidopteran species in terms of adult body mass is the giant wood moth Endoxyla cinereus from Australia and New Zealand. Despite having a smaller wingspan than the other species, it has a mass of about {{convert|30|g|oz|abbr=on}} and outweighs them all.

The Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules), in the family Saturniidae, is endemic to New Guinea and northern Australia, and its wings have the largest documented surface area (300 square centimeters) of any living insect,Robert G. Foottit & Peter H. Adler. 2009. Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1-405-15142-9}}Rainier Flindt. 2006. Amazing Numbers in Biology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. {{ISBN|3-540-30146-1}} and a maximum wingspan which is confirmed to {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} while unconfirmed specimens have spanned up to {{convert|35.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

{{further|Diptera}}

File:Mydas sp..JPG, one of the world's largest true flies.]]

The largest total length of any fly belongs to the largest species of crane fly: Holorusia clavipes. If the legs are extended in front of and behind the body, then an overall length of {{cvt|25.8|cm|in}} makes it the longest true fly. It also probably has the largest wingspan of any Diptera at over {{cvt|11|cm|in}}.

Gauromydas heros (which can reach a wingspan of {{cvt|10|cm|in}} and a body length of {{cvt|7|cm|in}}) has the largest wing surface area of any Diptera. It might also have the longest body length of any fly at {{cvt|7|cm|in}} (although it is rivaled by Microstylum magnum and Phellus piliferus for this title).

The heaviest flies are the timber flies from the genus Pantophthalmus (with Pantophthalmus bellardi being the largest species of this genus known).

The largest members of Asilidae (Microstylum, Phellus and Blepharotes) are almost as bulky.

{{further|Psocoptera}}

The largest of this order of very small insects is the barklouse of the genus Psocus, the maximum size of which is about {{cvt|1|cm|in}}.

{{further|Siphonaptera}}

The largest species of flea is Hystrichopsylla schefferi. This parasite, known exclusively from the fur of the mountain beaver, can reach a length of {{cvt|1.2|cm|in}}.{{cite web |last1=Yoon |first1=Carol Kaesuk |title=The Great Giant Flea Hunt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/science/the-great-giant-flea-hunt.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=26 October 2021 |date=28 July 2014}}

{{further|Thysanoptera}}

Members of the genus Phasmothrips are the largest thrips. The maximum size of these species is about {{cvt|1.3|cm|in}}.

{{further|Trichoptera}}

The largest of the small, moth-like caddisflies is Eubasilissa maclachlani. This species can range up to {{convert|7|cm|in|abbr=on}} across the wings.[http://www.diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=27607 Diptera.info – Discussion Forum: The LARGEST caddisfly of the world].

{{further|Zygentoma}}

These insects, known to feed on human household objects, are up to {{convert|1.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.{{Cite web |title=Order Zygentoma - Silverfish |url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/79 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=bugguide.net}} The largest is the extinct Ramsdelepidion schusteri, which reached {{convert|6|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.

{{further|Zoraptera}}

The largest angel insect species, Hubbard's angel insect (Zorotypus hubbardi), grows up to {{convert|3|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} in length.{{cite book|author1=Foottit, Robert G.|author2=Adler, Peter H.|title=Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5FhUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA199 |year=2018 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=978-1-118-94560-5 |pages=199–207}}{{cite web |url=http://tolweb.org/Zoraptera |title=Zoraptera |author=Engel, Michael S.|year=2005 |publisher=Tree of Life Web Project |access-date=9 March 2019}}

• Largest prehistoric animals

{{Reflist}}

Largest insects

Insects