A new species of insect in the world. About “a killer insect from India, an insect that kills children.” The harm and benefits of giant water bugs

FAKE STATUS: active
APPEARANCE: autumn 2016 a, Mexico

Apparently, the citizens of our vast Motherland became bored and some, out of boredom, decided to scare the population and their loved ones and those far away with a new misfortune and dragged last year’s fake onto VKontakte, which somehow, apparently, did not gain much popularity (let’s give credit to the group admins - at the time of writing of this material this has already been deleted):

Let's look at where and when it came from:

In a standard manner "let everyone know, all the media are silent, almost everyone has died around the world and in our village" A message began to spread across Russian social networks " Attention! especially penetrated into Russia from India dangerous insect, unknown until recently! Don’t even think about killing it with your hands - as soon as you touch it, you will instantly be struck by a terrible virus for which there is no vaccine yet! Spread this message, take care of the children!"

Panic notes are accompanied by creepy, unbearable pictures:

We found it especially funny that in Mexico, in a number of cases, the RUSSIA TODAY channel was indicated as a source of information, and specifically its broadcast to South America:

As you can see from the picture above, the comment is clear - "Fake Deadly Insects in Mexico: Alarming news about deadly insects in Mexico is spreading across the web and on numerous sites.".

The photo on the right, which could easily pass for a scene from any horror movie or Photoshop user's imagination, has nothing to do with this article. This is the image that uses trypophobia, dislike for agglomerates of round objects, which we will talk about below.

The RT logo is also false; not a single material, article, or video with this name in the Spanish-language area of ​​​​work can be found on the RT website.

The “new insect” is not new at all, but is well known to everyone - a male bug of the family Belostomatidae. The water bug, which is one of the largest insects, reaches a length of up to 10 centimeters. In this family, eggs laid by females stick to the male's body for protection. These bugs do not suck blood as described in the article, however, they can sting when they feel threatened. That is, this photo has nothing to do with the scare article at all, and appears to have been used to reinforce fear caused by the similarity of the image of the holes in the arm and the accumulation of eggs on the back of the male. Of course, everyone brought up with the knowledge that aliens strive to get into a person and lay eggs there immediately triggered unconscious and conscious fears and disgust, which led in some cases to a nervously accidental click on the “repost” button.

How this and in whose head it “came to India” is no longer clear. It is strange that it has not yet spread in the spring from Kazakhstan, where for some reason they prefer to spread fakes via WansUp:

Apparently, a classic phenomenon occurred - a certain insect of MICROSCOPIC (do you see a “microscopic insect” in the picture? It seems like experts recognized it as a bug, which, as written above, can reach 10 centimeters) in size was actually discovered in India. Next, someone stuck an illustration on it that has nothing to do with the situation.

Let's compare two texts and once again learn how to identify manipulative emotional generalized phrases:

But what do we have in the scary pictures?

and here's what:

What is it?

If you feel disgust and fear at the sight of a honeycomb or a mushroom sponge, you have trypophobia. Although, in fact, not everything is so simple. Let's figure it out.

The term trypophobia, or fear of cluster holes, comes from the Greek trypa, or hole. Fear arises in people suffering from this condition the moment they see something covered with small holes arranged in an asymmetrical pattern.

It is characteristic that a person suffering from a phobia feels a number of unpleasant symptoms when he sees holes in cheese, a washcloth, enlarged pores on the face, honeycombs and even a bar of aerated chocolate!

All objects that have numerous cluster holes in their structure, represent a huge discomfort for trypophobes.

Trypophobes are afraid of:

• holes on the human body
• holes in plants and animals
• holes and multiple holes on food products
• holes on inanimate objects: fossils, household, hygienic.
• cluster holes formed as a result of human and animal activity (earthworm tunnels)
• graphic and digital images of multiple holes

It is noteworthy that trypophobes are not afraid of absolutely all objects that have cluster holes. Thus, a person suffering from a phobia may be afraid of a washcloth, but react completely calmly to holes in cheese or bread.

Experts say that this feature is due to the fact that trypophobes are only afraid of those things and objects from which danger is expected, which is directly related to certain causes of fear.

If, at the sight of multiple holes and openings, you you experience the following sensations, then you are one of the 10% of the world's inhabitants who suffer from trypophobia:

• itchy skin
• goosebump sensation
• feeling of disgust
• disgust
• panic
• fear that someone lives in the holes
• increased sweating
• allergic skin reactions
• difficulty breathing
• pallor
• dizziness
• nausea

One of the psychologists named Jeff Cole He diagnosed himself with trypophobia and began intensive study of it. The scientist came to the conclusion that this fear is based on a variant of animal atavism and biological disgust - the fear that someone may live in the holes and pose a certain danger. After all, numerous holes and spots are certainly present on the body of the most poisonous creatures on the planet and in their habitats. Our ancestors, as the scientist explains, identified danger by these signs, and subconscious fear stopped them from taking the fatal step

Many psychologists have suggested that, as such, the fear of multiple holes every person has. According to them, some people show this fear, while others may not even be aware of it.

In addition, the stories of many people experiencing trypophobia lead researchers to believe that all fears come from childhood

Thus, one of the respondents said that as a child he was stung by a bee and his skin was so swollen that he could see every pore, and another told how his parents were killed with a knife, the handle of which had cluster holes

Trypophobia on the skin: hello, photoshop

Many people, due to their ignorance, believe that trypophobia is a skin disease that involves the formation of various holes on the human body. In fact, this is a mental disorder is not a disease and formations on the body do not appear due to the phobia.

Really, “trypophobia in pictures” dates back to 2005 . The growth of the disease was facilitated by the rapid development digital photography when everyone had the opportunity to do large photo orange or coral peel. Plus, the rapid development of various 3D technologies added fuel to the fire, you can find out more about them on the website. Today you don’t have to be a professional photographer or artist to quickly and easily create an image that evokes in many people trypophobic horror.

Especially popular among those who want to be scared are colorful photos of human skin covered with trypophobic patterns. It might look something like this.

Such images evoke unpleasant emotions in 30% of people. But it would be incorrect to say that all these people suffer from trypophobia. After all, images are really dangerous. Imagine that you meet a person on the street who is actually covered with holes like this. Most likely he is very seriously ill and contagious. And it carries danger. And therefore, the fear caused by such hypothetical individuals in others is not of any morbid nature.

However, 16-18% of people are driven into trypophobic horror not by photoshopped pictures of people’s skin, but by normal macro images of objects of living and inanimate nature.

So what scares us so much about humanity's past? Here's what:

We also thought that “it would be better if we didn’t see something here.”

Well, citizens also comment:

PLEASE USE YOUR HEAD, DO NOT REACH FOR THE KEYBOARD AND MOUSE WITHOUT TURNING YOUR HEAD ON AND DO NOT FORGET THAT A SIGN OF A STANDARD FAKE IS EMOTIONAL CALLS “TELL EVERYONE! WARN EVERYONE! SAVE-HELP! AND MANY, MANY EXCLAMATIONS SIGNS".

The large family of bedbugs is surprising in its diversity. Among them there are predators, bloodsuckers, pests and completely harmless creatures. The body sizes of these creatures range from 0.3 mm to 15 cm. Insects have conquered all elements, including water. Water bugs such as smoothies and giant water bugs cannot be ignored. If giants live in tropical countries: India, Thailand, South America. The smoothie bug can be found in our reservoirs.

How to recognize smoothie

The name speaks for itself. The bug's body resembles a boat. The streamlined shape allows it to move quickly in the water. A smooth surface makes this process easier. The insect has 3 pairs of legs. The last ones are the longest and most unusual - in the form of oars. Thanks to them, the smooth water bug calmly cuts through the water column and quickly reaches its intended goal. The appearance of the smooth water bug attracts the human eye rather than repels it. Interesting coloring, which is distributed in the correct geometric shape. Shades are present: yellow, green, light green, brown. And even pink. There are huge eyes on the head of the water bug.

Features of behavior

Interestingly, smooth water bugs can make sounds that are similar to the chirping of grasshoppers. The insect quickly rubs its front legs along the proboscis and produces a kind of singing. This water bug swims in a special way. He turns over on his back and changes beyond recognition. This strange feature helps the insect remain undetected in the water by predators such as fish. Because the smooth body of a water bug with a color that matches the color of the pond is difficult to notice from the depths. The smoothie spreads its legs to the side and moves smoothly, pushing off with its fins. From the height of a bird's flight, a water bug can be confused with a plant. Therefore, birds often ignore it. At the same time, the water smoothie calmly approaches the victim, which lives in top layer water and starts eating. However, they cannot stay in water for a long time. They periodically turn over and rise to the surface to inhale air. And at this very moment they risk being eaten.

In case of danger, the water bug acts like most of its relatives. He's just pretending to be dead. And when this does not help, the smoothie releases an odorous substance from unpleasant smell. In nature, such a signal is regarded as “beware, poisonous!”

Insect habitats

The smoothie bug prefers closed reservoirs with standing water. But to see it, you don’t have to go to such places. The insect may end up in a puddle or a barrel of water. And in the evening you can find him in the veranda or on the terrace. Smooth water bugs fly well. But water bugs rarely do this. Mainly to move to more suitable bodies of water in search of food. They have a weakness - they love bright light. In the evening, the activity of smoothie bugs increases. Because many insects begin to crawl out of their shelters at this time. And switched on light bulbs and lanterns cannot be ignored. For those who camp near the pond for the night, an encounter with these creatures is guaranteed.

Food preferences of the water bug

The smoothie bug is no different from other members of its family in terms of nutrition. The insect has a piercing - sucking oral apparatus, and the saliva contains a nerve agent. However, like all representatives of this family. Water bugs first pierce the victim, then let in an antiseptic. Under the influence of unique saliva, all the insides quickly liquefy. The smoothie bug can calmly start eating and suck out all the insides.

Smooth offspring

The insect lays eggs, which it carefully hides at the bottom of the reservoir. They are located by water bugs on the lower part of plants. The eggs are light yellow in color. Gather into an even circle. On average, the larva matures in 2 weeks. If the water is warm, water bugs are born 2-3 days earlier. The appearance of the larvae changes throughout the summer. During this time, water bugs go through 4 molts. After each, they increase in size and change color. Leads the same lifestyle as an adult. They don't really stick together. Everyone hunts individually.

Danger to humans

Gladysh can be called an exotic harmless creature. Man is not his goal. The insect bites extremely rarely. Mainly in cases where he feels danger. Curious and fearless children often suffer from them. When they pick up a bug, they risk getting a sting similar to a bee. The poison contained in saliva is not dangerous to humans. But the bite site will be felt for a long time. Gladysh can be called more useful than harmful. The tireless water bug eats hundreds of mosquito larvae per day. Regulates the number of other harmful insects. Gladysh never attacks people first. Don't touch him and he won't touch you!

Giant bedbugs - who are they?

Fortunately or unfortunately, there are no giant waterbugs in our area. Giant water bug is an alien tropical creature. Belongs to the genus Belostoma. Reaches a length of 15 cm. The color is brown with different tints. The terrifying appearance of an insect does not mean that it is dangerous to humans. Giant water bugs have 3 pairs of limbs. The front ones are bent in the form of claws. With them, the predator grabs the prey and pulls it towards itself.

Hunting process and nutrition

Giant water bugs can be found in bodies of water with standing water. The Belostoma giant water bug prefers to hunt at night. Water bugs choose comfortable spot, and simply freeze. When the victim approaches giant bug quickly grabs it with his claws. Belostoma's saliva contains a substance with a nerve-paralytic effect. The victim has no chance of surviving if the waterbug injection has already followed. Giant water bugs are interested in large insects, frogs, and small fish. The giant belostoma bug itself rarely becomes a victim.

Reproduction

This item requires special attention. Caring for future offspring is completely transferred to the strong back of giant water bugs - papas. The female Belostoma lays 3–4 eggs directly on the back of the male. He does this until there are about 100 pieces there. The back of giant water bugs can easily accommodate this amount. From now on, all responsibility is shifted to dad. The water bug carries them for 2 weeks. Periodically, the giant water bug rises to the surface and exposes its back to warm up. In this way, the larvae avoid the formation of mold and the accumulation of harmful microorganisms. In this form, belostoma resembles a hedgehog.

The harm and benefits of giant water bugs

There is no need to fear for a person’s life or health when encountering this water bug. Belostoma does not hunt humans. In addition, for giant water bugs, it is preferable to quickly take refuge in a safe place. However, highly persistent and curious people run the risk of being bitten. Water bugs bite like a bee or wasp. There won't be any big consequences. There will just be redness and swelling. The sore spot will calm down after a week.

On the contrary, Belostoma is considered a very useful bug. Water bugs are the only creature that can calmly deal with pests such as three-keeled turtles. They pose a great danger to the younger generation of commercial fish.

In addition, giant harmless water bugs themselves suffer from human hands. Giant water bug is served fried in Thai restaurants. The demand for such exotic dishes is quite high. Therefore, in some lakes the giant bug remained in small numbers. And on farms they are trying to breed them.

A bedbug is not always harmful and dangerous to health. Reckless destruction of these creatures is strictly prohibited. Even if a wonderful dish is prepared from a bug. Everything in nature is interconnected! Perhaps, in the era of global warming, such large creatures will appear in our ponds. You need to know how to meet them.

It's time to meet the largest, longest and heaviest insects on Earth. Naturally, the largest species lived in the prehistoric era, but even in the modern world there are still such incredible beetles that will give anyone goosebumps. From the creepy giant weta to the more famous praying mantis, here is a list of the 25 largest insects in the world.

25. Protodonata or Meganisoptera

Meganisoptera is not only the largest dragonfly that has ever existed on our planet, but also the largest insect in the world. With a wingspan of up to 75 centimeters, this giant insect soared the skies from the Carboniferous era to the end of the Permian era (approximately 317 - 247 million years ago). Meganisoptera lived long before the appearance of pterosaurs, birds and bats, which means it had no equal in the sky.

24. Giant weta


Photo: Dinobass

The giant weta is a very large species of insect that lives primarily in New Zealand. An adult beetle can weigh 35 grams. Weta prefers to hide in fallen leaves and the bark of fallen trees, and rests mainly during the day. At night, the heavyweight leaves its shelter to move to other trees in search of food and more comfortable housing. Despite its impressive size, the giant weta lives only 6-9 months.

23. Lumberjack Titan


Photo: Bernard Dupont

Endemic to the tropical forests of South America, the titan lumberjack is the largest known beetle not only in the Amazon jungle, but also one of the largest large species insects in the world. Titanium grows up to 16.7 centimeters in length (according to unconfirmed information - up to 22 centimeters), and the distinctive feature of this giant insect are impressive claws with which he can easily grab a pencil, for example. Rumor has it that the Titan Lumberjack can even tear human flesh with its pincers. The most interesting thing is that entomologists have not yet been able to detect its larvae, and naturalists so far can only assume that the beetle spends the beginning of its life inside trees.

22. Australian walking stick


Photo: Rosa Pineda

The Australian walking stick (Extatosoma tiaratum) is a huge herbivorous insect native to the tropical and temperate rainforests of Australia. These creatures are very similar to praying mantises, but entomologists distinguish them as two absolutely different types. Females are usually larger than males, reaching up to 20 centimeters in length and covered with spiny spines. In turn, males also have something to brag about - they have as many as 3 eyes, and they can fly, unlike females, who only have the rudiments of wings.

21. Moth satin


Photo: Quartl

This giant moth lives in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is considered one of the most large species lepidopteran insects on the planet. The wingspan of the tropical moth is 25 centimeters, and the surface area of ​​the wings of the atlas is 400 square centimeters, which is larger than that of any other insect in the world. Moreover, its life expectancy is only 5-7 days. People have found a rather practical use for this short-lived beauty - in India, the giant moth is bred to produce silk thread.

20. Rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros)

Photo: Mark Pellegrini (Raul654)

The giant rhinoceros cockroach (also known as the burrowing cockroach) lives in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia, and is the largest and heaviest cockroach in the world. An adult representative of this species grows up to 8 centimeters in length and can weigh up to 35 grams. The life expectancy of the burrowing cockroach is quite impressive - scientists have found individuals whose age has reached as much as 10 years. You may be surprised, but among amateur entomologists the giant rhinoceros cockroach is quite popular as a... pet.

19. Elephant beetle


Photo: sdbeazley / flickr

This insect prefers the humidity of tropical forests and lowlands of Central and South America (especially Mexico). The elephant beetle (or elephant megasoma) is a large insect, growing up to a length of up to 13 centimeters. Impressive in size, these creatures live only 1-3 months, prefer the night, feed on tree sap and tropical fruits.

18. Phobaeticus chani


Photo: P.E. Bragg

Phobaeticus chani is a species of insect from the stick insect family, recognized as one of the longest in the world. Its more common name is Chan's stick insect, which this insect received in honor of its researcher Datuk Chen Zhaolun. A giant stick insect was discovered not long ago in the tropical forest of Borneo, where a Chinese naturalist had the opportunity to examine an individual of incredible length - 57 centimeters! The beetle species Phobaeticus chani is still not fully understood because the insect lives on the tallest trees in the rainforest, making it too secretive for observation and research.

17. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing


Photo: Robert Nash

This amazingly beautiful creature was discovered in the rainforests of Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea. Another name for this birdwing is also known - the Queen Alexandra Ornithopter, and it is recognized as the largest butterfly in the world. The wingspan of this giant creature reaches 30.5 centimeters, and it feeds mainly on the nectar of tropical flowers.

16. Giant water bug


Photo: Frank Vassen

The giant water bug (Belostomatidae) is also known as the “alligator flea” and is found primarily in freshwater bodies of water, lakes, streams and rivers in North and South America, northern Australia and East Asia. Aquatic bugs are fierce predators, and cases of these bugs have been known to attack not only fish and frogs, but also small snakes and even turtles. Killer bug? It sounds creepy, but another equally predatory insect awaits you ahead. Be patient until point 11 of our top...

15. Giant Atlas Beetle


Photo: JohnSka

The Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) got its name in honor of the ancient mythical deity who held the vault of heaven on his shoulders. Another name for this beetle is the Caucasian beetle, and representatives of this species are considered one of the largest on Earth. The atlas is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia. Male atlas can reach as much as 13 centimeters in length.

14. St. Helena Earwig


Photo: wikimedia

Here is the giant earwig Labidura herculeana, the largest representative of the Leatherwing order, which is also sometimes called the “Dodo of the earwig world” (the Dodo is a giant bird that became extinct in the 17th century AD) or the St. Helena earwig. History knows about the 8-centimeter Labidura herculeana, but the last time a living adult of this earwig was seen was in May 1967, and in 2014 scientists sadly announced that the Dodo of the earwig world had finally become extinct.

13. Goliath beetle

Photo: fir0002

Endemic to the tropical regions of Africa, goliath beetles are the most large insects in the world, both in adulthood and in the larval stage. These beetles are believed to be the heaviest of all insects on Earth. Their larvae weigh up to 100 grams, and adults reach up to 12 centimeters in length.

12. Longhorned beetles or woodcutters


Photo: Hectonichus

The long-horned beetle in the photo is a giant species of beetle, easily recognized by its beautiful pattern on its back and enlarged jaws. There are other names for this insect - barbel, woodcutter, or scientifically Cerambycidae. The long-horned beetle lives in the tropical forests of South America, and despite its enormous size (more than 17 centimeters in length), this species of insect can even fly.

11. Tarantula Hawk


Photo: wikimedia

The tarantula is a large road wasp or pompilid that preys on tarantulas. The females of this species of insect paralyze the spider with a sting from their sting. On a successful hunt, these seemingly modest creatures are capable of defeating a tarantula, which is most often 8 times heavier than a road wasp. This difference in weight does not interfere with dragging the killed spider into a hole, where the female lays her larvae directly on the body of the prey. When new tarantulas are born, they initially feed on the tarantulas stored in the burrow.

10. Giant Scolia Wasp


Photo: Didier Descouens

9. Gauromydas heros


Photo: Biologoandre

Gauromydas heros are the largest flies in the world. This species of dipterous insect grows up to 7 centimeters in length, and its wingspan reaches 10 centimeters, which is quite a lot for a fly. Gauromydas heros lives in southern Brazil and prefers to lay its larvae in anthills. Scientists have not fully studied the lifestyle of this species, but adult males presumably feed on flower nectar, females probably do not, and the larvae of these flies eat the larvae of leaf-cutter ants, in whose colonies they hide.

8. Macrotermes Bellicosus


Photo: ETF89

This termite lives in Africa and Southeast Asia. Macrotermes Bellicosus - the largest famous representative your infra-detachment. This insect was included in our list due to the fact that its uterus during the egg-laying period reaches approximately 11 centimeters in length. The sizes of other members of the colony are much more modest - worker termites grow up to 3-4 centimeters, and soldiers are not much larger. Macrotermes Bellicosus live by hunting and gathering, and the peak activity of this termite species occurs during the rainy season.

7. Hercules beetle


Photo: Anaxibia

The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is one of the largest beetles in the world and lives primarily in the jungles of South America. Representatives of this genus are considered the largest and most famous of all rhinoceros beetles, close relatives of scarabs. Some males reach 17.5 centimeters, including monocorn length.

6. Thysania agrippina


Photo: Acrocynus

Thysania agrippina is a nocturnal moth, more commonly known by other names including the agrippina cutworm, agrippina cutworm, tysania agrippina, agrippina, night moth, and even the ghost moth. The agrippina cutworm is one of the largest flying insects, and its wingspan reaches almost 30 centimeters. The largest nocturnal one lives in Mexico, Central America and South America, and is also sometimes found in Texas.

5. Stag beetle (Lucanidae)


Photo: Trevor Harris / geograph.org.uk

The stag beetle or stag beetle, also sometimes known as the comb beetle, is an insect that is easily recognized due to its enormous size (about 12 centimeters in length) and impressive mandibles (lower jaws) that resemble tusks or horns. In appearance, the beetle looks very scary, but in fact it feeds on tree sap, and uses its lower jaws only in mating games or during fights with its own relatives. For people, this insect is usually completely harmless.

4. Giant Homoptera Dragonfly

Photo: Steven G. Johnson

The largest dragonfly living on our planet, the giant homoptera dragonfly is also scientifically known as Megaloprepus Caerulatus. The graceful insect is decorated with silver-blue stripes, as well as white and black spots. But don't be fooled by its beauty, this dragonfly is a dangerous predator. True, Megaloprepus Caerulatus poses the greatest threat only to spiders, which the homopterus catches directly from their cozy webs. The giant dragonfly lives in the tropical forests of Central and South America, and the largest wingspan of these insects is a whopping 19 centimeters!

3. Praying Mantis


Photo: Oliver Koemmerling

This insect is almost at the top of its food chain and feeds mainly on other members of its native class, although there is evidence that mantises sometimes attack small reptiles, small mammals and even birds! The largest mantis known to entomologists was discovered in southern China in 1929, and its length was as much as 18 centimeters.

2. Stick insect Zhao


Photo: Joachim Bresseel, Jérôme Constant

In 2014, a new species of insect was discovered in the southern province of Guangxi. It was the Zhao stick insect (Phryganistria Chinensis Zhao), whose dimensions reached as much as 62.4 centimeters. The giant was discovered by Chinese entomologist Zhao Li, and today it is the longest insect in the world. The stick insect was named after a Chinese researcher who hunted this incredible fastmatid for 6 years until he finally managed to catch one of these long-legged beauties.

1. Long-legged mosquitoes of the species Holorusia Brobdignagius


Photo: wikimedia

Long-legged mosquitoes or caramors are insects of the Diptera family of the long-whiskered suborder. Their favorite habitat is forests near fresh water bodies and swamps. Adults feed on plant nectar, while larvae feed on rotting plants. The largest representative of the Karamors, holorusia brobdignagius grows up to 23 centimeters in length if the limbs are extended behind and in front of its body. This size allows us to consider this Chinese centipede the longest of its kind.

Many people are afraid of insects, flying and crawling. But they are not at all dangerous, although they are not entirely attractive in appearance. There are many in the world amazing insects, which you didn't even know about.

In this review you will learn about the most unusual and mysterious creatures of our planet, which are very well adapted to their way of life and many of them are enormous in size.

Huge water bug.

The water bug has long been under threat of extinction. This insect has a very unusual appearance. The water bug is somewhat reminiscent of tiny hedgehog. It lives in Japan and can grow up to 15 centimeters in length.

The huge water bug is considered one of the most biting insects in the world. Everyone knows how bedbugs bite, and in this case the waterbug is no exception. Its bite is very painful. Therefore, it is not recommended to dive where they live.

These insects live in rice fields, feeding on small fish, various crustaceans and amphibians. During the hunt, these insects quickly paralyze their prey because they cannot cope with it due to their tiny size. If a bug senses danger, it skillfully plays dead. This insect is considered an exquisite delicacy in Thailand.

Turtle beetle Aspidomorpha.

One of the most beautiful beetles are Aspidomorpha, popularly called the turtle beetle. They call it that because of the shape of its body, which strongly resembles a turtle. This insect reaches 7–8 millimeters in length.

The beetle has a very bright and beautiful color. The body of the insect is oval, slightly flattened. The beetle not only looks amazing, but also has amazing capabilities. It can change the color of the upper transparent layer, which is called the “shell,” thereby creating optical illusions and merging with the objects surrounding it. This ability helps him hide from predators.

Stick insects.

The next type of insects are stick insects (ghost insects). There are 2,500 species of these amazing insects in the world. Stick insects live in the tropics.

Outwardly, they look like some kind of alien creature. Their body shape allows them to camouflage among various leaves and branches, which they closely resemble. Stick insects can take on almost any shape due to their thin bodies. One of the most striking species of ghostly insects is the Megastick insect.

It grows up to 57 centimeters in size and was discovered only in two thousand and eight. This species is named after Datuk Chan-Chu-Lun, who was one of the first to study it. The lifestyle of this insect has not yet been completely studied, since the Megastick insect was seen only a few times in the deep jungle.

Winged crocodile (Fulgora laternaria).

The winged crocodile amazes not only people with its appearance, but also predators. It lives on trees and flowers. It is popularly called a crocodile, but its real name is Fulgora laternaria. The lantern grows up to 9 centimeters in length.

This insect was nicknamed crocodile because unusual shape heads. It has false eyes on its wings, which help in camouflage and escape from predators.

STICTOCEPHALA BISONIA.

Stictocephala bisonia has an unusual appearance throughout life. The larva is pinkish in color and has “spikes” that are located along the body. The larva resembles a very small dinosaur. Adults are angular and irregularly diamond shaped. The limbs have long, light-colored hairs. The dimensions of this species are no more than ten millimeters.