Insect records. The most tenacious insect: the German cockroach
More than 80 percent of all living things on earth are insects. Currently, science knows about 900 thousand different species, but how many are still unknown? Maybe a million, maybe even more. Some people find them scary and disgusting, others are fascinated by them. amazing variety.
We want to introduce you to ten species of record-breaking insects, among which are the smallest, the most dangerous, the most desperate, the loudest...
Largest insect:weta, the Barrier Island giant
The weta (Deinacrida heteracantha) is a giant insect native to Little Barrier Island in New Zealand. This is the largest and heaviest insect in the world. The weight of one individual reaches 71 grams, and the length is more than 8.5 centimeters. These insects are relatives of grasshoppers and the entire cricket family. Nowadays, the weta is a very rare endangered species.
Smallest insect:dicopomorpha echmepterygis
Tiny insects of the wasp family are the smallest known to science. The homeland of these insects is Costa Rica. Males of this species reach only 0.14 millimeters in length, smaller in size than the single-celled slipper ciliates that can be found in lake water. Feeds this type larvae of other insects.
The most poisonous insect: Maricopa ant
Maricopa ants (Pogonomyrmex Maricopa) are the most poisonous insects in the world, but this is in no way a threat to humans. The venom of this ant is 25 times stronger than the venom of the honey bee, but so little of it is released that Maricopa ants are completely harmless. When you read the title, you probably thought of some kind of giant Japanese hornet or African killer bee. Everything turned out to be much simpler; the most poisonous insect lives on almost every backyard America.
The longest migrations in the insect world:tramp redhead
Pantala flavescens or, as it is also called, the red tramp. This species of dragonfly has the longest migration in the insect world. Not even the migration of the Monarch butterfly compares. These dragonflies travel from India to Eastern and South Africa and back with the monsoons, their journey is approximately 14-18 thousand kilometers. In addition, the long journey of these insects makes them easy prey for migratory birds. Thus, if anything happens to this species, it will be very difficult for the birds to withstand long flights without constant food.
The fastest winged insect:southern giant rocker
This species of dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, making it the fastest-winged insect in the world. Some believe that other insects can fly at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Scientists do not agree with this statement, however, many consider the issue of flight speed to be very controversial. Opinions are divided between dragonflies, butterflies and horseflies. There are many unsubstantiated rumors about the speed of each of these species.
The most terrifying insect:locusta migratoria
Locusta migratoria or migrating locust is perhaps the most terrifying insect known person. Although mosquitoes are to blame for many human deaths, it is locusts that have always made people scream in horror. Swarms of locusts are rare these days, but they do occur in some parts of the world: this was the case in Madagascar last year, or, for example, the locust attack in 2004, which affected several countries in Western and North Africa and resulted in losses of $2.5 billion.
The most tenacious insect:german cockroach
I think few will be surprised by the title of this point. In the sense that everyone heard something like: after nuclear war only cockroaches will survive. And yet there is a rather curious case: the larva of a German cockroach (Blattaria germanica) managed to survive in a very unfavorable environment for it - in the colon of a 52-year-old woman. Apparently she got there with the food and somehow managed not to be harmed by the stomach's digestive enzymes.
The rarest insect: kLord Howe Island barking insect
This rather large insect of the piercing family lives on Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand. The species is also an example of what biologists call the Lazarus effect, which is when a species is thought to be extinct and then found again. The number of Dryococelus australis today is no more than 50 individuals; at the time of rediscovery there were only 24.
The insect is endangered, however, there is hope for the restoration of the species. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia is trying to breed 9 thousand individuals under a special program.
Loudest insect: rguy
The cicada (Micronecta scholtzi) is a species of cicada and for its size it is the loudest on earth. The cicada family is generally known for its sound, some species can sing with a force of 120 dB. The comb, having a length of only 2 mm, is capable of creating a noise of 99.2 dB. It can be compared to sitting in the front row in front of an orchestra or the sound of a jackhammer 50 feet away.
Largest insect colony: aArgentina ants
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have the largest colony of insects in the world, even rivaling humanity in numbers. Scientists have discovered that insects of this species, found in America, Europe and Japan, belong to the same colonies because they refuse to fight with each other.
Moreover, a series of experiments showed that these supercolonies could practically be one huge colony of ants, since the participants in the experiments did not show hostility towards each other and recognized “their” smell, despite the distance of thousands of miles. Moreover, this incredible phenomenon seems to have been created by people who accidentally transported ants from South America to other continents.
More than 80 percent of all living things on earth are insects. Currently, science knows about 900 thousand different species, but how many are still unknown? Maybe a million, maybe even more. Some people find them scary and disgusting, others are fascinated by their amazing diversity.
We want to introduce you to ten species of record-breaking insects, among which are the smallest, the most dangerous, the most desperate, the loudest...
Largest insect: weta, the Barrier Island giant
The weta (Deinacrida heteracantha) is a giant insect native to Little Barrier Island in New Zealand. This is the largest and heaviest insect in the world. The weight of one individual reaches 71 grams, and the length is more than 8.5 centimeters. These insects are relatives of grasshoppers and the entire cricket family. Nowadays, the weta is a very rare endangered species.
Smallest insect: dicopomorpha echmepterygis
Tiny insects of the wasp family are the smallest known to science. The homeland of these insects is Costa Rica. Males of this species reach only 0.14 millimeters in length, smaller in size than the single-celled slipper ciliates that can be found in lake water. This species feeds on the larvae of other insects.
The most poisonous insect: the Maricopa ant
Maricopa ants (Pogonomyrmex Maricopa) are the most poisonous insects in the world, but this is in no way a threat to humans. The venom of this ant is 25 times stronger than the venom of the honey bee, but so little of it is released that Maricopa ants are completely harmless. When you read the title, you probably thought of some kind of giant Japanese hornet or African killer bee. Everything turned out to be much simpler; the most poisonous insect lives in almost every backyard in America.
The longest migrations in the insect world: the red tramp
Pantala flavescens or, as it is also called, the red tramp. This species of dragonfly has the longest migration in the insect world. Not even the migration of the Monarch butterfly compares. These dragonflies travel from India to Eastern and Southern Africa and back with the monsoons, their journey is approximately 14-18 thousand kilometers. In addition, the long journey of these insects makes them easy prey for migratory birds. Thus, if anything happens to this species, it will be very difficult for the birds to withstand long flights without constant food.
Fastest winged insect: Southern giant rocker
This species of dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, making it the fastest-winged insect in the world. Some believe that other insects can fly at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Scientists do not agree with this statement, however, many consider the issue of flight speed to be very controversial. Opinions are divided between dragonflies, butterflies and horseflies. There are many unsubstantiated rumors about the speed of each of these species.
The most terrifying insect: locusta migratoria
The Locusta migratoria or migrating locust is perhaps the most terrifying insect known to man. Although mosquitoes are to blame for many human deaths, it is locusts that have always made people scream in horror. Locust swarms are rare these days, but do occur in some parts of the world: this was the case in Madagascar last year, or, for example, the locust attack in 2004, which affected several countries in West and North Africa and led to losses of 2.5 billion dollars.
The most tenacious insect: the German cockroach
I think few will be surprised by the title of this point. In the sense that everyone has heard something like: after a nuclear war, only cockroaches will survive. And yet there is a rather curious case: the larva of a German cockroach (Blattaria germanica) managed to survive in a very unfavorable environment for it - in the colon of a 52-year-old woman. Apparently she got there with the food and somehow managed not to be harmed by the stomach's digestive enzymes.
The rarest insect: the Lord Howe Island piercing insect
This rather large insect of the piercing family lives on Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand. The species is also an example of what biologists call the Lazarus effect, which is when a species is thought to be extinct and then found again. The number of Dryococelus australis today is no more than 50 individuals; at the time of rediscovery there were only 24.
The insect is endangered, however, there is hope for the restoration of the species. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia is trying to breed 9 thousand individuals under a special program.
The loudest insect: the paddlefish
The cicada (Micronecta scholtzi) is a species of cicada and for its size it is the loudest on earth. The cicada family is generally known for its sound, some species can sing with a force of 120 dB. The comb, having a length of only 2 mm, is capable of creating a noise of 99.2 dB. It can be compared to sitting in the front row in front of an orchestra or the sound of a jackhammer 50 feet away.
Largest insect colony: Argentine ants
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have the largest colony of insects in the world, even rivaling humanity in numbers. Scientists have discovered that insects of this species, found in America, Europe and Japan, belong to the same colonies because they refuse to fight with each other.
Moreover, a series of experiments showed that these supercolonies could practically be one huge colony of ants, since the participants in the experiments did not show hostility towards each other and recognized “their” smell, despite the distance of thousands of miles. Additionally, this incredible phenomenon appears to have been created by people who accidentally transported ants from South America to other continents.
More than 80 percent of all living things on earth are insects. Currently, science knows about 900 thousand different species, but how many are still unknown? Maybe a million, maybe even more. Some people find them scary and disgusting, others are fascinated by their amazing diversity.
We want to introduce you to ten species of record-breaking insects, among which are the smallest, the most dangerous, the most desperate, the loudest...
Largest insect:weta, the Barrier Island giant
The weta (Deinacrida heteracantha) is a giant insect native to Little Barrier Island in New Zealand. This is the largest and heaviest insect in the world. The weight of one individual reaches 71 grams, and the length is more than 8.5 centimeters. These insects are relatives of grasshoppers and the entire cricket family. Nowadays, the weta is a very rare endangered species.
Smallest insect:dicopomorpha echmepterygis
Tiny insects of the wasp family are the smallest known to science. The homeland of these insects is Costa Rica. Males of this species reach only 0.14 millimeters in length, smaller in size than the single-celled slipper ciliates that can be found in lake water. This species feeds on the larvae of other insects.
The most poisonous insect:Maricopa ant
Maricopa ants (Pogonomyrmex Maricopa) are the most poisonous insects in the world, but this is in no way a threat to humans. The venom of this ant is 25 times stronger than the venom of the honey bee, but so little of it is released that Maricopa ants are completely harmless. When you read the title, you probably thought of some kind of giant Japanese hornet or African killer bee. Everything turned out to be much simpler; the most poisonous insect lives in almost every backyard in America.
The longest migrations in the insect world:tramp redhead
Pantala flavescens or, as it is also called, the red tramp. This species of dragonfly has the longest migration in the insect world. Not even the migration of the Monarch butterfly compares. These dragonflies travel from India to Eastern and Southern Africa and back with the monsoons, their journey is approximately 14-18 thousand kilometers. In addition, the long journey of these insects makes them easy prey for migratory birds. Thus, if anything happens to this species, it will be very difficult for the birds to withstand long flights without constant food.
The fastest winged insect:southern giant rocker
This species of dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, making it the fastest-winged insect in the world. Some believe that other insects can fly at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Scientists do not agree with this statement, however, many consider the issue of flight speed to be very controversial. Opinions are divided between dragonflies, butterflies and horseflies. There are many unsubstantiated rumors about the speed of each of these species.
The most terrifying insect:locusta migratoria
The Locusta migratoria or migrating locust is perhaps the most terrifying insect known to man. Although mosquitoes are to blame for many human deaths, it is locusts that have always made people scream in horror. Locust swarms are rare these days, but do occur in some parts of the world: this was the case in Madagascar last year, or, for example, the locust attack in 2004, which affected several countries in West and North Africa and led to losses of 2.5 billion dollars.
The most tenacious insect:german cockroach
I think few will be surprised by the title of this point. In the sense that everyone has heard something like: after a nuclear war, only cockroaches will survive. And yet there is a rather curious case: the larva of a German cockroach (Blattaria germanica) managed to survive in a very unfavorable environment for it - in the colon of a 52-year-old woman. Apparently she got there with the food and somehow managed not to be harmed by the stomach's digestive enzymes.
The rarest insect: kLord Howe Island barking insect
This rather large insect of the piercing family lives on Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand. The species is also an example of what biologists call the Lazarus effect, which is when a species is thought to be extinct and then found again. The number of Dryococelus australis today is no more than 50 individuals; at the time of rediscovery there were only 24.
The insect is endangered, however, there is hope for the restoration of the species. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia is trying to breed 9 thousand individuals under a special program.
Loudest insect: rguy
The cicada (Micronecta scholtzi) is a species of cicada and for its size it is the loudest on earth. The cicada family is generally known for its sound, some species can sing with a force of 120 dB. The comb, having a length of only 2 mm, is capable of creating a noise of 99.2 dB. It can be compared to sitting in the front row in front of an orchestra or the sound of a jackhammer 50 feet away.
Largest insect colony: aArgentina ants
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have the largest colony of insects in the world, even rivaling humanity in numbers. Scientists have discovered that insects of this species, found in America, Europe and Japan, belong to the same colonies because they refuse to fight with each other.
Moreover, a series of experiments showed that these supercolonies could practically be one huge colony of ants, since the participants in the experiments did not show hostility towards each other and recognized “their” smell, despite the distance of thousands of miles. Additionally, this incredible phenomenon appears to have been created by people who accidentally transported ants from South America to other continents.
More than 80 percent of all living things on earth are insects. Currently, science knows about 900 thousand different species, but how many are still unknown? Maybe a million, maybe even more. Some people find them scary and disgusting, others are fascinated by their amazing diversity.
We want to introduce you to ten species of record-breaking insects, among which are the smallest, the most dangerous, the most desperate, the loudest...
Largest insect: weta, the Barrier Island giant
The weta (Deinacrida heteracantha) is a giant insect native to Little Barrier Island in New Zealand. This is the largest and heaviest insect in the world. The weight of one individual reaches 71 grams, and the length is more than 8.5 centimeters. These insects are relatives of grasshoppers and the entire cricket family. Nowadays, the weta is a very rare endangered species.
Smallest insect: dicopomorpha echmepterygis
Tiny insects of the wasp family are the smallest known to science. The homeland of these insects is Costa Rica. Males of this species reach only 0.14 millimeters in length, smaller in size than the single-celled slipper ciliates that can be found in lake water. This species feeds on the larvae of other insects.
The most poisonous insect: the Maricopa ant
Maricopa ants (Pogonomyrmex Maricopa) are the most poisonous insects in the world, but this is in no way a threat to humans. The venom of this ant is 25 times stronger than the venom of the honey bee, but so little of it is released that Maricopa ants are completely harmless. When you read the title, you probably thought of some kind of giant Japanese hornet or African killer bee. Everything turned out to be much simpler; the most poisonous insect lives in almost every backyard in America.
The longest migrations in the insect world: the red tramp
Pantala flavescens or, as it is also called, the red tramp. This species of dragonfly has the longest migration in the insect world. Not even the migration of the Monarch butterfly compares. These dragonflies travel from India to Eastern and Southern Africa and back with the monsoons, their journey is approximately 14-18 thousand kilometers. In addition, the long journey of these insects makes them easy prey for migratory birds. Thus, if anything happens to this species, it will be very difficult for the birds to withstand long flights without constant food.
Fastest winged insect: Southern giant rocker
This species of dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, making it the fastest-winged insect in the world. Some believe that other insects can fly at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Scientists do not agree with this statement, however, many consider the issue of flight speed to be very controversial. Opinions are divided between dragonflies, butterflies and horseflies. There are many unsubstantiated rumors about the speed of each of these species.
The most terrifying insect: locusta migratoria
The Locusta migratoria or migrating locust is perhaps the most terrifying insect known to man. Although mosquitoes are to blame for many human deaths, it is locusts that have always made people scream in horror. Locust swarms are rare these days, but do occur in some parts of the world: this was the case in Madagascar last year, or, for example, the locust attack in 2004, which affected several countries in West and North Africa and led to losses of 2.5 billion dollars.
The most tenacious insect: the German cockroach
I think few will be surprised by the title of this point. In the sense that everyone has heard something like: after a nuclear war, only cockroaches will survive. And yet there is a rather curious case: the larva of a German cockroach (Blattaria germanica) managed to survive in a very unfavorable environment for it - in the colon of a 52-year-old woman. Apparently she got there with the food and somehow managed not to be harmed by the stomach's digestive enzymes.
The rarest insect: the Lord Howe Island piercing insect
This rather large insect of the piercing family lives on Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand. The species is also an example of what biologists call the Lazarus effect, which is when a species is thought to be extinct and then found again. The number of Dryococelus australis today is no more than 50 individuals; at the time of rediscovery there were only 24.
The insect is endangered, however, there is hope for the restoration of the species. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia is trying to breed 9 thousand individuals under a special program.
The loudest insect: the paddlefish
The cicada (Micronecta scholtzi) is a species of cicada and for its size it is the loudest on earth. The cicada family is generally known for its sound, some species can sing with a force of 120 dB. The comb, having a length of only 2 mm, is capable of creating a noise of 99.2 dB. It can be compared to sitting in the front row in front of an orchestra or the sound of a jackhammer 50 feet away.
Largest insect colony: Argentine ants
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have the largest colony of insects in the world, even rivaling humanity in numbers. Scientists have discovered that insects of this species, found in America, Europe and Japan, belong to the same colonies because they refuse to fight with each other.
Moreover, a series of experiments showed that these supercolonies could practically be one huge colony of ants, since the participants in the experiments did not show hostility towards each other and recognized “their” smell, despite the distance of thousands of miles. Additionally, this incredible phenomenon appears to have been created by people who accidentally transported ants from South America to other continents.
RECORDS AMONG INSECTS
The longest beetle is the Hercules beetle (Dynastes Hercules). The length from the tip of the abdomen to the tip of the mandibles is 19 cm.
The longest beetle excluding mandibles is the titan woodcutter (Titanus giganteus). Reaching a length of 16.7 cm.
The smallest beetle belongs to the family Ptiliidae. The smallest representative reaches a length of 0.21 mm.
The most powerful chemical weapons Possesses the crackling bombardier (Brachinus crepitans). When threatened, the beetle secretes a toxic liquid from the anal glands. The ejection frequency reaches 500 times per second, and the temperature reaches 100°C.
The most long legs among beetles in the Long-Legged Harlequin (Acrocinus longimanus). The length of the front legs reaches 12 cm. With their help, they hold the female during mating.
The golden borer (Buprestis aurulenta) has the longest life expectancy among beetles. One such insect lived in captivity for 47 years.
The most powerful beetle is the Sacred Scarab (Scarabaeus sacer). Can lift a load 850 times its own body weight.
The gray longhorned beetle (Acanthocinus aedilis) has the longest whiskers relative to the body among beetles. The male's mustache is 4 times the body length.
The heaviest beetle is the Rhino Actaeon (Megasoma acteon) from South America. A large male weighs up to 205 grams.
The South African weevil (Antliarhinus zamiae) has the longest nose relative to the body among beetles. With a body length of 1 cm, the rostrum is elongated by 2 cm.
The fastest running beetle is the jumping ground beetle (cicindela hudsoni). On the ground he can run at a speed of 9 km/h.
The fastest body acceleration is produced by the red-tailed click beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis). When jumping from a lying position, the beetle produces an acceleration equal to 400 g.
The largest ant is Dorylus fulvus. The uterus reaches a length of up to 5 cm.
The longest worker ant, not taking into account the length of the mandibles, is Dinoponera gigantea from Brazil. Its body length is 3.3 cm.
The longest worker ant is the bulldog ant (Myrmecia brevinoda) from Australia. Reaches a length of 3.7 cm.
The most heat-tolerant ant is the silver runner ant (Cataglyphis bombycinus). They live in the Sahara Desert and can easily tolerate temperatures of 46 degrees Celsius.
The largest column of ants is made up of wandering ants of the genus Dorylus. A column of these ants can reach a length of 100 meters and a width of 1.5 meters. In such a column there can be up to 20 million ants.
The fastest mandible movement among insects is made by (Odontomachus bauri). A record speed for mandible snapping for animals was recorded: from 126 to 230 km/h, in 130 microseconds. With the help of its jaws, the ant can jump to a height of up to 20 cm.
The largest wasp is Pepsis heros. Body length up to 5.7 cm, wingspan - 11.4 cm.
The biggest wasp's nest belongs to the German wasp (Vespula germanica). In April 1963, a nest 3.7 m long and 1.75 m in diameter was found.
The lightest wasp is the Aquatic wasp (Caraphractus cinctus). This rider weighs only 0.005 milligrams, and her eggs weigh 0.0002 mg.
The largest bee is Megachile pluto. The body length reaches 39 mm, the wingspan is 63 mm.
The most dangerous bee is the Africanized killer bee (Apis mellifera scutellata). According to statistics, since 1969 in Brazil, more than two hundred people have died from African bee stings, and several thousand have been injured - they were seriously bitten.
The smallest bee is Trigona duckei. Body length is only 2-5 mm.
The most voracious caterpillar is that of the night peacock butterfly (Antheraea polyphemus). In the first 56 days of its life, the caterpillar dries 86,000 times and eats 3.17 kg of vegetation.
The fastest flight among butterflies is the death's head hawk moth (Acherontia atropos). The flight speed reaches 54 km/h.
The smallest wingspan among daytime butterflies is the gnome blueberry (Oraidium barberae) from South Africa. The wingspan of males is only 10-15 mm.
The largest colonies among butterflies are formed by the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Every year in November, these butterflies gather in a flock of 300 million individuals before migrating.
The smallest wingspan among moths is the moth (Trifurcula ridiculosa) from the Canary Islands. This moth has a female wingspan of only 3.8-4.1 mm.
The largest wingspan among diurnal butterflies is the Alexandra birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae). The wingspan of the female reaches 28 cm.
The most frost-resistant butterfly is the Greenland bear butterfly (Gynaephora groenlandica). The caterpillars of this butterfly can survive temperatures of minus 70 degrees Celsius.
Most long tongue among butterflies in the Madagascar hawk moth (Xanthopan morgani). To get to the nectars of flowers, the tongue can unfold to a length of up to 28 cm.
Thysania Agrippina from South America has the largest wingspan among moths. The wingspan of a specimen caught in 1934 was 30.8 cm.
The fastest flight of any dragonfly is that of the Southern Giant Rocker (Austrophlebia costalis). Flight speed reaches 58 km/h.
The smallest dragonfly is Agriocnemis naia from Burma. Wingspan only 17.6 mm, body length 18 mm
The largest wingspan among dragonflies is the rocker (Tetracanthagyna plagiata) from Southeast Asia. The wingspan reaches 20 cm.
The longest dragonfly (Megaloprepus caerulatus). Body length reaches 12 cm.
The largest extinct dragonfly is Meganeura monyi. This dragonfly lived in France 300 years ago, its wingspan reached 75 cm.
The heaviest grasshopper is the giant weta (Deinacrida heteracantha). This grasshopper reaches a length of 90 mm and weighs 71 grams.
The largest wingspan among grasshoppers (Macrolyristes imperator). The wingspan reaches 27.4 cm.
The largest two-winged one is the midas hero (Gauromydas heros) from South America. The body length is 6 cm, the wingspan reaches 10 cm.
The fastest flight among two-winged birds is the deer's nasopharyngeal botfly (Cephenemyia pratti). Flight speed reaches 39 km/h.
The long-legged mosquito (Holorusia brobdignagia) from Asia has the longest legs among two-winged insects. The length of the legs can reach 23 cm.
The largest cicada is the Malayan imperial cicada (Pomponia imperatoria). Reaches a body length of 10 cm and a wingspan of 20 cm.
The seventeen-year cicada (Magicicada septemdesim) has the longest period of maturation among insects. It takes 17 years to transform from a larva into an adult insect, during which time the larva goes through 25-30 larval stages.
The longest mantis is the Giant Mantis (Ischnomantis gigas) from Africa. The body length of an adult female reaches 17 cm.
The smallest mantis is the pygmy mantis (Bolbe pygmaea) from Australia. Body length is only 1 cm.
The largest hemipteran is the Giant belastoma (Lethocerus maximus). Reaches a length of 115 mm and a wingspan of 216 mm.
The largest cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). It reaches a length of 8.3 cm and weighs up to 36 grams.
The largest earwig is the giant earwig (Labidura herculeana) of St. Helena. Reaches a length of 8.3 cm.
The longest insect is the Kalimantan stick insect (Phobaeticus chani). Reaches a length of 56.7 cm
The most prolific insect is the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae). In a year, one aphid can theoretically produce offspring weighing a total of 822 million tons.
In the photo: the Hercules earwig - Labidura herculeana - a giant earwig, body length 8 cm, which lives on the island of St. Helena.
