Bugs & Insects Facts for Kids
Creepy-crawly facts about insects and bugs
The tarantula hawk wasp, which paralyses tarantulas to feed its larvae, has been rated as having one of the most painful insect stings in the world — described as 'blinding, fierce, shockingly electric.'
The dead leaf mantis is so convincingly camouflaged as a dead or decaying leaf — complete with brown patches, irregular edges, and a leaf vein pattern — that it is virtually impossible to spot when still.
Ant colonies make complex collective decisions — such as choosing the best nest site — without any central control; individual ants following simple rules create intelligent group behaviour.
Trapdoor spiders live in silk-lined burrows with a hinged door made of soil and silk — they stay completely hidden and ambush passing prey by detecting vibrations, then bursting out in a fraction of a second.
In the Great Smoky Mountains, thousands of male synchronous fireflies flash in unison, creating spectacular waves of light — scientists think synchrony helps females pick out potential mates more easily.
Honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs over 3,000 years old has been tasted and found to be perfectly edible — its natural acidity, low moisture, and antimicrobial compounds make it virtually imperishable.
The hummingbird hawk-moth hovers in front of flowers and feeds through a long proboscis just like a hummingbird — it is so convincing that many people mistake it for the bird itself.
The American cockroach can run at speeds of over 5 km/h (3 mph) relative to its body size, making it one of the fastest running insects — it can cover 50 body lengths per second.
Biting midges, sometimes called no-see-ums, are among the smallest flying insects in the world — they are so tiny they can pass through standard window screens.
The moth's eye — which has a micro-textured surface that reduces reflection so moths can see at night — has inspired anti-reflective coatings for solar panels and phone screens.