Science

Biggest, Fastest, Bloodiest: Earth's Most Extreme Insects

Find out who in the insect world is the biggest, longest, bloodiest, highest jumper, best actor and more in Wired's Entomological Hall of Fame.
Image may contain Animal Seafood Food Sea Life Lobster Invertebrate and Soil
  • prosapiabicinctakaldarikaldariwikimedia
  • annualcicadabrucemarlinwikimedia
  • phobaeticusserratipes
1 / 12
prosapia-bicincta-kaldari-kaldari-wikimedia
Insects hold at least 13 titles in the Guinness Book of World Records. They also have their own tome of distinctions titled The Book of Insect Records, and its contents are a wealth of awesomeness. Entomologists at the University of Florida scoured the literature to come up with insects that were the fastest, largest, longest, loudest and brightest. They also selected more unusual champions: best imitator, least specific vertebrate bloodsucker and most spectacular mating. We've selected our favorites from among 40 categories, along with some of the Guinness honorees. Read on to find out who's who among six-legged bugs. Above:

Highest Jumper

The insect world championship title for high jump belongs to the 0.2-inch long froghopper, a common agricultural pest. Some species can jump as high as 28 inches. Image: Kaldari / Wikimedia Commons.