Published on 4/23/2009
under Science
- by Gracie Murano
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Lymantrid moth (Dasychira pudibunda)
The Lymantrid moth (Calliteara pudibunda) is widespread in Danish beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests. The species has one generation in Denmark, with the dull grey moth flying during June. Each female can lay 300-400 eggs which she normally does very near the place where she emerged from the pupae. The small caterpillar is very hairy and can easily be transported by the wind. In late autumn the caterpillar is fully grown, is about 5 cm long and is very beautifully coloured. Pupation takes place among leaves on the ground where a silken cocoon is made.
(Photo by: Malgorzata Tomkowicz)
Devil's Flower Mantis (Idolomantis Diabolica)
The Idolomantis Diabolica is sometimes known as the "King of all mantids" for the obvious reason: it's beauty, size and rarity, is one of the largest species of praying mantis that mimic flowers.
(Photo by: Scott Thompson)
Damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta)
Damselfly is the common name for any of the predaceous insects comprising the suborder Zygoptera of the order Odonata, characterized by an elongated body, large multifaceted eyes that are widely separated, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which at rest typically are held folded together above the abdomen or held slightly open above the abdomen. They commonly fly in tandem during mating.
For humans, they are a popular subject of art and culture in various nations, and their grace, often striking colors, and unique mating behaviors add to the beauty of nature.
(Photo by: Opo Terser)
Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
Also known as the "Robin Moth", Cecropia moths are the largest moth found in North America, often achieving a wingspan of six inches. They range across the entire eastern two-thirds of the continent to the Rocky Mountain range.
They are a member of the Saturniidae family, or giant silk moths. Females with a wingspan of 130 mm or more have been documented. The larvae of these moths are most commonly found on Maple trees, but they have been known to feed on Wild Cherry and Birch trees among many others.
(Photo by: Jay Cossey)
Calleta Silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta)
The Calleta Silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta) is a moth of the Saturniidae family. Found in Mexico, Guatemala and the southernmost part of the United States, it’s the only species in the Eupackardia genus. The larvae mainly feed on Fraxinus species, Leucophyllum frutescens, Sapium biloculare and Fouquieria splendens.
(Photo by: Igor Siwanowicz)
Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatu)
The Hymenopus coronatu, aka Orchid mantis, is a variety of flower mantis usually found in Malaysia and Indonesia. Doesn’t the mantis pictured look just like an orchid? They hide in the flowers they resemble, waiting for other delicious insects to alight.
(Photo by: Paul F. Wagner)
Hercules Beetle (Dynastes Hercules)
A species of rhinoceros beetle that lives in South America, the Hercoles Beetle can grow to over 6 inches in length (counting its horns), but its claim to fame is its strength: it can support 850 times its own weight on its shell! This beetles eats only vegetation and is not aggressive, except to other Hercules beetles, when males fight each other over females.
(Photo by: Tomas Libich)
Giant Camel Spider (Arachnid Solifugae)
Perhaps we would never --or rarely-- have heard of such a creature if it was not because of the tales and photos the United States Servicemen in the Persian Gulf War and afterwards the Iraq War carried back home. It was said that a giant camel spider crawled into the sleeping bag of a soldier, biting the man while he was asleep.
Fortunately, the giant desert camel spiders native to Iraq aren't venomous. It uses its claws to catch its prey, which is never bigger than the arachnid itself. They are also known for being fast. Giant Camel Spiders have been known to run around 10 MPH. This creature real name is Arachnid Solifugae. "Solifugae" means, in Latin, "flee from the sun".
(Photo by: dwl)
Giant Water Bug (Belostomatidae)
Belostomatidae is a family of insects better known as "giant water bugs" or "toe-biters." Most species in the Belostomatidae family are relatively large and nearly reaching the dimensions) of some of the larger beetles in the world. All of them are fierce predators which stalk, capture and feed on aquatic crustaceans, fish and amphibians. They often lie motionless at the bottom of a body of water, attached to various objects, where they wait for prey to come near. They then strike, injecting a powerful digestive saliva and suck out the liquefied remains. Yum!
Their bite is considered one of the most painful that can be inflicted by any insect. The saliva liquefies muscle tissue. In rare instances, their bite can do permanent damage to humans. So don't get drunk and pass out with your face near one of these guys.
Occasionally when encountered by a larger predator, such as a human, they have been known to "play dead" and emit a fluid from their anus to make them look less appetizing.
Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
The Giant Leopard Moth or Eyed Tiger Moth (Hypercompe scribonia) has a distinct pattern of black rings, reminiscent to those found in its namesake the leopard. The moth’s unmistakable colorings is aposematic, meaning that they are actually "advertising" the bug’s unpalatability to potential predators.
(Photo by: Normanack)
Reader Contributions
Lethal Larvae by Aurelius on 10/12/2009 A page about that most lethal larvae of the animal world. (Source)
Re: biblical-scale locusts by Kal on 9/6/2009 Um, no. That is a cicada, the Plague of the South. Locusts are pretty much just big grasshoppers.
Biblical scale locust by Christle Sheppard on 8/2/2009 THESE are the plague locusts.
Lymantrid moth (Dasychira pudibunda) 
Devil's Flower Mantis (Idolomantis Diabolica) 
Damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta) 
Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
Calleta Silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta)
Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatu) 
Hercules Beetle (Dynastes Hercules) 
Giant Camel Spider (Arachnid Solifugae) 
Giant Water Bug (Belostomatidae) 
Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
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