There are so many insects in the world that you have never even heard of most of them or seen what they look like. And their kingdom is truly amazing and surprises us with its variety of forms. Today we will introduce you to some insects that can claim the title of the most bizarre.
Alligator beetle
A real flying crocodile lives in the rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America. This is what the locals call the Suriname lanternfly (Fulgora laternaria). But it also has other names among the locals. For example, some people see its strange shape as resembling a peanut pod and call it a peanut beetle. In fact, this insect belongs to the cicadas. It reaches the size of 85-90 millimeters with a wingspan of 100-150 millimeters.
On the wings of the insect there is a pattern in the form of huge eyes. Obviously, this is necessary for protection against all kinds of predators. If the crocodile head does not frighten the predator, then the wings with huge eyes will come to the rescue.
Panda ant
In fact, this is not an ant, but a member of the family of wingless wasps living in Chile. The females of these wasps are wingless and look like huge hairy ants. They are called pandas because they really resemble Chinese pandas. These wasps scare away predators with their bright color. When a panda ant senses danger, it begins to make a sharp sound, similar to a squeak. This wasp stings painfully, but not fatally, although in Chile it is nicknamed the killer of cows.
The turtle beetle
These beetles are very similar to small turtles, which is why scientists gave them this name. These strange insects, only 7-8 mm in size, have an unusual shape and color of the shield. If you look at the insect from above, you might think that the beetle has been crucified, which is why they are also called the “holy cross” beetle. But the most interesting thing is that turtle beetles can change the color of the shield, thanks to a special liquid in the transparent outer shell.
Giraffe weevil
This small black bug lives in Madagascar. Its Latin name Giraffa camelopardalis clearly indicates its resemblance to a giraffe. Its body length does not exceed 2.5 centimeters. In these bizarre beetles, only males have such a long neck, while females have a much smaller one. The giraffe weevil belongs to the family of tube beetles. The male needs such a long neck to build nests and compete for a female. The female weevil lays her eggs in leaves, which she first rolls into a tube.
