Fun And Interesting Bug Facts

Nov 02, 2010

Scarab Beetle

There are over 30,000 known species of scarab beetles worldwide.
Scarab beetles can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica.
Some scarab beetles collect animal dung by rolling it into a ball with their hind legs. These beetles, called Dung Beetles use the dung for food as well as a nest for their larvae.
One species of scarab beetle was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. Images of the beetle appear in hieroglyphs and sculpture.

Tarantula

In spite of their size, tarantulas have relatively weak venom
Tarantulas sense their prey by vibrations in the ground.
Most tarantulas live in underground burrows, but some live in logs, rocks, trees or even bananas!
Male tarantulas can live up to 10-12 years. Females can live twice as long!
Many people keep tarantulas as pets.
About 900 different species of tarantulas have been identified.
Tarantulas live in tropical, grassland or desert climates throughout the world.

Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders carry their egg sacs with them. When the egg sacs hatch, the young wolf spiders ride around on their mother’s abdomen.
Wolf spiders get their name from the way that they stalk their prey (like a wolf).
Some wolf spiders can walk on water thanks to small hairs in their legs that keep them above the water’s surface.
Wolf spiders can be found just about everywhere in the world except for arctic and Antarctic climates.
Some wolf spiders live in underground burrows with trap-doors to keep rainwater out.

Black Widow Spider

Male black widows are not venomous, only female black widows carry venom.
Black widows are cannibalistic, which means they will eat each other if no other food source is around.
The black widow spins the strongest web silk in the spider kingdom.
A black widow female can lay up to 3600 eggs per year.
Black widows are indigenous to North America, but other species of the widow family can be found worldwide

Earwig / Pinscher Bug

There are 1800 recorded species of earwigs. They can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica.
Earwigs got their name because of a myth that they will crawl into your ear and lay eggs in your brain if you are sleeping on the ground.
Earwigs are not poisonous, though they can deliver a painful pinch.
Paleontologists have discovered earwig fossils dating back over 200 million years old!
Earwigs are maternal. They watch over their eggs and young.

Horned Beetle / Rhino Beetle

The term “Rhino Beetle” refers to 300 different species of beetles!
The rhino beetle is the strongest animal in the world. It can lift up to 850 times its own weight!
Rhino beetles look ferocious with their large horn, but they are actually harmless. They do not have any teeth, stingers or venom.
Some species of rhino beetles are sold as pets in Japan.
Most rhino beetles live in South and Central America with a few species living as far north as the southern United States.

Bumblebee

There are 250 known species of bumblebees. They can be found throughout the northern hemisphere.
Most bumblebees are assumed to be yellow and black, but some bumblebees are red, orange, white, pink or entirely black.
Bumblebees can regulate their body temperature, which allows them to live in cold climates.
Bumblebees live in underground burrows, only laying 8-12 eggs at a time.
Male bumblebees have no stingers, but the females do!
An angry bumblebee will chase her victim over long distances and sting multiple times!

Cockroach

A cockroach can hold its breath up to 40 minutes.
There are over 4,000 different species of cockroach, of these only 20 are considered to be pests.
Cockroaches sometimes carry their eggs around with them.
Cockroaches can find food by following the scent trail of other cockroaches.
Cockroaches can live up to four years in captivity.
A cockroach’s favourite food is the glue on envelopes and book bindings.
The world’s largest species of cockroach is in South America. It can grow up to 6 inches long with a 1 foot wingspan!

Ladybug

Wasp

Wasps use paralyzed insects and spiders as food for their young, but wasps themselves feed on nectar.
Tarantula wasps actually paralyze tarantulas and lay eggs on their immobile bodies.
Wasps do not make honey like bees.
Some wasps make their nests from saliva and chewed plant matter, paper or mud.