Cute But Dangerous Insects From Around The World
Insects, from really cute to extremely dangerous, here are the most beautiful, unusual and just plain creepy insects in the world.
12 The Giraffe Wevil
Recently discovered, this bizarre insect form Madagascar is best known for its unique neck, males have almost 3 times longer necks than females and use it to attract females and fight of the competition. But security is not the necks only purpose. The giraffe weevils also use their long neck to build its nests.
11 The Assassin Kissing Bug
Its brown colored body doesn’t seem to make any one run the other way. Buts it menacing methods of carrying prey may. This insect also called kissing bugs injects a dangerous saliva into its prey, once the prey dissolves inside, the kissing bugs proceeds to carry its dinner on its back, not only one but several bodies area carried and held by tiny hairs on their backs wile fighting others either for food or to make them food. This is a savage creature found all over the Americas... see if you can find them, they like to be cozy up in warm places like your home!
10 Pink Grasshopper
Pink is not a color you would think a grasshopper has. But in this case, a very rare specimen was found near a lake in Ipswich, England. This is truly a rare site since grasshoppers are usually brown, green, anything that helps them camouflage with the grass and foliage they live by. According to research the pink grasshopper is a genetic mutation called erythrism, unlike albinism where there is lack of pigmentation, erythrism is characterized by a reddish coloration of the hair, fur and skin, even eggshells and feathers are affected by it. Due to its pink coloration, the grasshopper does not make it to adulthood since its pretty easy for predators to spot it.
9 Puss Moth Caterpillar
This insect is gorgeous every step of the way!! As a larva, the puss moth caterpillar is juicy and squishy in the middle therefore attracts many predators but clever little larvae this one is, they have mastered the scary tactics trying to avoid being eaten. As the creature continues the metamorphosis and moves into caterpillar, it becomes a fuss ball of yellow or gray hair, known as asps, the most toxic caterpillar in north America and parts of central America! Don’t touch it, the hairs are venomous and become embedded in your skin causing you lots of distress for couple of hours. when adult its called the southern flannel moth so cute and tempting to pet, yet dangerous!
8 Brazilian Treehopper
If you hear treehoppers, fake, made up may come to mind. Treehoppers, these little insects are in a whole different category of bizarre. Although many varieties can be found across the globe the Brazilian treehopper wins the weirdest insect award! This little critter has a fascinating tree like structure atop its head with 4 fruit-like orbs that reminds us of a fuzzy fruit bearing branch. Other varieties of tree hoppers have horns, look like rose thorns or even parasites. The treehoppers look like a modern art invention mixed with some nightmare causing elements!
7 Flower Mantis
Speaking of bizarre insects here is probably one of the cutest and most elegantly dainty on the planet, meet the flower mantis. As the name indicates, the flower mantis looks just like its name says, generally pink or white in color its petal like body and wings are designed to camouflage not only to escape becoming dinner but also to hunt! There is nothing dainty on this insect besides its looks. This intelligent mantis is an avid and patient hunter how will sway while on top of a flower attracting the flies to rest on its back before catting a hold of them.
6 The Indian Toe-Bitter
When dealing with bizarre insects there is no place in the planet that does not have its share, in North and south America as well as in East Asia, there is a particularly frightening bug. Also knows as Alligator fleas, this water bug very aggressive. The most distinctive characteristic, it that the male carries the eggs on its back and when they hatch, it leaves the empty shells hanging. Known to catch fish, snakes and frogs for dinner, the alligator flea fakes being dead and when the unexpected prey passes nearby, it bites them, waits for the inners to melt and then voila, dinner served! But dot let your guard down if you get bitten by one of these, the pain is unbearable.
5 The Giant Weta
You may have gone to the zoo and seen the giant cockroaches from Africa or large moths that look like humming birds using their long tongs to drink flower nectars, but you probably have not heard of the gigantic wetas. Older than some dinosaurs, found in New Zealand, the wetas look like grasshoppers on steroids its name comes from the Maori word “wetapunga” that means “god of ugly things”! and It can outweigh a mouse. And they do love carrots! But despite the size and its taste in food, wetas have their ears, not near the head but just below the knee joint on the front legs!
4 Beard Or Hair Cutter Spider
Camel, spider, scorpion! Mix all that, and you will get the camel spider also known as wind Scorpions. yet despite the descriptive names... they are neither true spiders nor true scorpions!! they are an in-between! With large and strong pinchers capable of causing serious damage to its prey of small animals in the middle eastern deserts and the southwestern US and Mexico. Legends say that the romans called it “beard or hair cutters” since it was thought that they would cut hair from animals and humans to cozy up their lairs… studies have shown they are actually harmless… just a painful nip and no more…
3 Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar
This caterpillar looks like it should belong in an alien planet! This caterpillar is found in north and central America. Covered on what looks like couple of rows of blunt horns all over its body. But don’t worry, they are not sharp, they have an ace under their abdomen. The Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar is very toxic. They are filled with toxins they get form the plants they eat. When feeling threatened, the caterpillar secrets a liquid. The blunt horns and skin are tough buying it time for the skin to secrete the nasty toxins so to be able to be left alone.
2 Shield-Backed Bug Of South Africa
Stink bugs can be found all over the globe, I remember as a child would find them in the bushes during lunch break. The Shield Bug of South Africa is a whole other level of stink bugs. They are also known as the Picasso Bug, or Zulu Hud Bug in Tanzania. The size of a finger nail, this greenish creature sports 11 ring-shaped spots. They are designed to warn predators to stay away. If the outer designs don’t scare them away, their stinky smell will!
1 Antlion
Its an ant, its lion, no its Antlion! The name gives you the illusion that this creature has a mane and large teeth, as well as being an avid hunter… and you are right, the antlion is a creature you will think twice about. With over enlarged hollowed jaws they use them to grab their victims to then suck their juices out. They eat anything they can hunt, specially ants. They make a funnel like trap in sandy soil, burrow themselves and wait for an ant to fall into the pit where it becomes an easy catch for this ferocious creature. That is terrifying!
