Scary-looking insects can be a common source of fear for many people. These bugs often have intimidating physical characteristics that can make them appear more dangerous or threatening than they may be.
We created a list of the 20 most scary-looking bugs and insects that might terrify you.
The 20 Most Terrifying Insects:
There are a billion insects for every human on earth and over 900 thousand different kinds of insect species.
Insects have dominated this planet for 480 million years, and through time, some of them have evolved to be absolutely terrifying and creepy.
Let’s take a look at the first one on our list.
Tarantula Hawk Wasp
People often fear Tarantula Hawk Wasps because of their excruciating sting, considered one of the most painful insect stings in the world. The female wasp preys on tarantulas, paralyzing them with venom and laying an egg on their bodies.
When the egg hatches, the larva feeds on the still-living tarantula. While Tarantula Hawk Wasps generally do not sting humans unless provoked, their large size and reputation for delivering intense pain can be intimidating and frightening to many people.
Giant Centipede
Giant Centipedes, or more accurately, Cormocephalus rubriceps, are super scary due to their large size, numerous pairs of legs, aggressive behavior, and venomous bites.
The giant centipede is native to New Zealand and Australia. These are nocturnal creatures and can often be found in dark, damp areas, which can add to their fearsome reputation.
While their bites are not usually fatal, they can cause pain, swelling, and other symptoms, especially in small children or individuals with allergies.
Japanese Giant Hornet
Japanese Giant Hornets are considered one of the scariest insects due to their large size, aggressive behavior, and potent venom. They are highly aggressive and will attack anything they perceive as threatening their colony, including humans.
The Japanese giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world. Workers can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in length, with queens being even larger, making them formidable and impressive insects.
In addition, their venom is potent and can cause severe pain, swelling, and even death in some cases. Therefore, encounters with Japanese Giant Hornets should be avoided whenever possible, and professional help should be sought if a nest is nearby.
Bullet Ant
The Bullet Ant is considered one of the scariest insects due to its excruciatingly painful sting. Imagine stepping too close to their hive and getting bitten by many at once.
Bullet Ants are highly aggressive and found in Central and South America; encounters with them should be avoided. While the sting is not typically life-threatening and not the most scary looking, it can cause severe pain, and meeting with Bullet Ants is still considered to be a scary experience.
Botfly
This is not the most scary-looking insect on the list, but the fact that it has a hint of cuteness is even more awful if you know what this little bug does. Let’s find out!
Botflies are often associated with fear factors, as their eggs are laid on insects such as mosquitoes that transfer them to an animal’s skin. The larvae then burrow into the host’s skin to feed on flesh, leading to discomfort and pain.
Although not generally hostile, interacting with Botflies can provoke discomfort, and their reproductive mechanism is frequently perceived as eerie and frightening.
Goliath Birdeater Spider
The Goliath Birdeater Spider is one of the most enormous spiders in the world, with a leg span of up to 30 centimeters and fangs over 2.5 centimeters long.
Despite their name, these spiders do not typically eat birds but can prey on small rodents, insects, and amphibians.
Due to their size and appearance, many people find them scary and intimidating. In addition, their venom is not usually harmful to humans, but their large fangs and aggressive behavior can still provoke fear and discomfort in those who encounter them.
Kissing Bug (Triatomine Bug)
Don’t get fooled by the name of this bug. Kissing Bugs are often considered scary due to their ability to transmit the potentially fatal Chagas disease to humans and other animals through their bites.
They are called “kissing bugs” because they tend to bite around the mouth and eyes of sleeping humans and animals.
Although their bites are not usually painful, Chagas disease transmission can cause serious health problems and be life-threatening if left untreated. Therefore, avoiding contact with kissing bugs, such as sealing cracks and gaps in houses and using insecticides, is essential.
Giant Huntsman Spider
The Giant Huntsman Spider, holding the record for the largest leg span of any spider, is a source of fear for many. Its leg span can reach up to 30 cm, akin to a dinner plate.
Found primarily in caves in Laos, this spider’s size is not the only intimidating factor; its speed and agility make it a proficient hunter.
Despite its frightening appearance and hunting prowess, the Giant Huntsman Spider is generally harmless to humans, with its bite causing little more than mild discomfort.
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse Spiders are often considered scary due to their venomous bite, which can cause tissue damage and, in rare cases, lead to systemic illness or death. Their bites are often painless at first but can become increasingly painful and cause severe reactions such as blistering, necrosis, or fever.
Additionally, Brown Recluse Spiders are typically shy and reclusive, making them difficult to spot or avoid, increasing the fear factor for some people.
While they are not generally aggressive towards humans, encountering Brown Recluse Spiders can be unsettling and lead to fear or anxiety.
Death’s Head Hawkmoth
The Death’s Head Hawkmoth is known for its skull-like pattern on its thorax and eerie, high-pitched squeak. Its association with superstitions and its appearance in popular culture have made it a symbol of fear and mystery. Though harmless to humans, its distinct look and large size can be quite intimidating and scary.
Spiny Leaf Insects
Personally, this one has a disgusting factor 7. This species comes in a lot of different variants and is mostly found in Australia. I’m sorry to our Australian readers, but everyone knows you have some of the most scary insects in the world in your backyard.
Their look is meant to imitate their surroundings, like bark and leaves from a tree. So, the creepiness is enhanced because of their camouflage.
You think you are alone, but suddenly, you see something crawl along the stem of the tree. Chills…
- The females are the biggest ones out of the two genders and can grow to about 8 inches (20 cm).
- The male has wings and flies around the rainforest to scout for a mating partner.
- They have similarities with the praying mantis. Thankfully, spinach leaf insects are herbivores.
- For some reason, people keep them as pets.
Mosquito
We all encounter a mosquito a few times in our lives, and on a world basis mosquito is the deadliest insect across the world. They spread like crazy once they manage to suck blood and lay their eggs in water.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls it “the world’s deadliest animal”, and that is for a good reason. The string itself is not dangerous, but what can the little scary creature bring with it?
Mosquito can carry diseases like:
- Malaria
- Dengue
- West Nile
- Yellow Fever
- Zika
In 2021, over 619,000 people died from malaria thanks to these awful little insects.
Atlas Moth
The Atlas Moth is not necessarily terrifying because of its color and looks, but more about its size.
The Atlas Moth is one of the largest moths in the world and is intimidating due to its enormous wingspan, which can reach over 9.4 in (25 cm). The moth’s large size and eye-like patterns on its wings can be startling, though it is harmless to humans.
- The Atlas Moth’s primary habitat is in Southeast Asia.
- India cultivates the moths for their silk.
- The moth is named after the Greek god Atlas due to their size.
Vampire Moth
You might guess what our next moth on the list is known for.
Some species of Vampire Moths feed on blood from vertebrates. This unusual dietary habit, combined with their nocturnal nature, contributes to their scary reputation.
However, they pose no significant threat to humans, even though people speculate that some of them are capable of drinking human blood.
- The Vampire Moth has been observed in multiple regions of Europe, even all the way north in Finland.
- Their way of drinking blood is similar to a mosquito.
- It is believed that they used to drink fruit juice in the past but later got an appetite for blood.
Giant Water Bug
Giant Water Bugs are known for their painful bite and are often feared for their size and predatory nature. They can grow up to 12 cm in length and are formidable hunters in their aquatic freshwater environments.
- Fossils have been found in Brazil and are dated 120 million years ago.
- While they can bite humans (hence their name, toe-biters), they are not dangerous.
- For now, we know that there are more than 170 different species of giant water bugs worldwide.
Cicada Killer Wasp
The Cicada Killer Wasp, with its large size and powerful sting, is intimidating. These wasps hunt cicadas and are known for their loud buzzing noise. Though they rarely sting humans, their size and aggressive hunting behavior can be quite alarming.
Giant Weta
The Giant Weta is one of the heaviest insects in the world and can be intimidating due to its large size and spiny legs. They are only found in New Zealand; they are harmless to humans, but their appearance and size can be quite scary.
- Known as giant flightless crickets, there are 11 species in total.
- One gravid female can weigh up to 2.47 oz (70 g).
- They are protected by law in New Zealand because they risk extinction.
Tailless Whip Scorpion
The tailless whip scorpion, belonging to the order Amblypygi, is a fascinating and somewhat intimidating arachnid.
Despite its menacing appearance, it is harmless to humans, as it lacks venom and a stinging tail. These creatures are primarily nocturnal and are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Here are five interesting facts about the tailless whip scorpion:
- Sensory Limbs: Their long front limbs act as sensors to navigate and hunt in the dark.
- Sideways Movement: They can move rapidly in a sideways direction, which is unique among arachnids.
- Mating Dance: Males perform a complex mating dance to attract females, involving tactile and vibrational cues.
- Parental Care: Females exhibit maternal care, protecting and carrying their young until they are ready to fend for themselves.
- Moviestar: The Tailless Whip Scorpion had a cameo in the Harry Potter movies.
Killer bee (Africanized Honey Bee)
Africanized Honey Bees are considered to be scary by people due to their aggressive behavior, tendency to swarm, and potent venom.
However, they are not inherently dangerous and will generally only attack if they feel their hive is threatened or if they are provoked. It is possible to coexist with Africanized Honey Bees with proper precautions and respectful behavior around their hives.
Cockroach
Cockroaches are often feared due to their association with filth and disease, but they know how to survive when no one else is able, as you will learn more about further down.
Their ability to quickly scatter in large numbers and survive in tough conditions adds to their scary reputation.
Despite this, they are generally harmless to humans unless your heart skips a beat once you see one sprinting across the bathroom floor.
Here are five cool facts you need to know about cockroaches:
- Ancient Insects: Cockroaches have been around for a very long time. They are thought to have originated more than 300 million years ago, which means they roamed the earth long before the age of dinosaurs.
- Radiation Resistance: Cockroaches are incredibly resistant to radiation. Studies have shown that they can withstand levels of radiation that are multiple times higher than the lethal dose for humans, making them one of the few creatures that could survive extreme nuclear fallout.
- Speedy Runners: Despite their small size, cockroaches can move exceptionally fast. They can run up to three miles per hour, which is quite remarkable considering their body length and size. This speed helps them escape from your mop and other predators quickly.
- Headless Survival: A cockroach can live for several weeks without its head. Since they breathe through small holes in each of their body segments, they don’t need their heads to breathe. Also, their heads aren’t essential for basic bodily functions, allowing them to survive headless until they die of starvation. Pretty freaky insect.
- Diverse Diet: Cockroaches are not fussy eaters. They are known to eat anything organic, including food scraps, paper, fabric, and even glue. This omnivorous diet is one of the reasons they are so successful at surviving in various environments, from tropical forests to urban households.
Conclusion
This list is packed with terrifying insects, both scary-looking and with unique abilities. From an evolutionary point of view, it is logical for us humans to feel scared when looking at these creatures because some can be dangerous when living out in the jungle.
In our modern, safe society, it’s possible to overcome our fear of scary-looking insects and appreciate the important roles they play in our world.