Page 123 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2

IT CAN’T BE TRUE! 121

The Atlas moth of Southeast Asia is the FAST FACTS
biggest insect by wing area. However,
the white witch moth of Central and There are other insects
South America has the widest wingspan, competing for the title of
at about 12 in (31 cm). the biggest insect alive. Here
are some of the contenders.
These narrow antennae tell us this
is a female, which is even larger and The titan beetle Rat
heavier than a male. The male has of South American
bigger, more feathery antennae, and
he uses them to detect pheromones rain forests grows
(scent) released by females. up to 6.5 in Titan beetle
(16.5 cm) long—
as long as than
the body of a rat.
Its jaws can snap
a pencil in half.

The wing tip
looks like a Stick insects can be even
snake’s head, longer. The record-breaking
which possibly Chan’s megastick of Borneo,
frightens Malaysia, is 22½ in (56.7 cm)
would-be long with outstretched legs.
predators. That’s almost twice the width
of this book.

Goliath beetle grub

The triangular
patterns on the
moth’s wings are
thought to help
camouflage.
Some insects have really
large grubs. One of the biggest
and heaviest is that of Africa’s
Goliath beetle. It can grow up
to 5 in (13 cm) long and weighs
3½ oz (100 g).

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