Do You Know What Is The Strongest Insect?

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

We know that ants are insanely strong, but are they the strongest insects in the world? This is a question that is quite interesting to answer. What is the strongest insect? Well, in this article, I will answer just that. Further, I will also give you a rundown of other insanely strong insects in the world. So, keep reading!

What is the strongest insect in the world?

There are a bunch of strong insects in the world. But, the indisputable winner is the dung beetle. The name might be funny, but their strength is not a joke at all! Below, I have talked about dung beetles for your better understanding!

Dung beetles

What is the strongest insect? Dung beetles.

Dung beetles are one of the strongest creatures on earth. They can be found in nearly every habitat and continent. Despite their small size, they are able to move large objects and roll them long distances.

Dung beetles are able to roll dung balls that weigh up to 500 times their own body weight. They use this superhuman strength to collect large balls of dung and transport them to their nests, where they will lay their eggs.

This is an amazing feat, considering the fact that a human being can only lift about 50 times his or her own weight.

Facts about the strongest insect in the world – the dung beetle.

Dung beetle

Dung beetles are found on every continent in the world, with the exception of Antarctica. They play an important role in their ecosystems by eating and burying animal dung, as their name rightly suggests.

Dung beetles have many interesting features, including their strong exoskeletons, which make them the strongest insect in the world.

  • The dung beetle is the strongest insect in the world. It can pull 1,141 times its own weight, and it has a life span of three years. They are able to do this because they have a special organ that allows them to eat rotting meat.
  • Additionally, these little creatures range in size from less than 1mm to 6cm long.
  • Female dung beetles are especially dedicated mothers, staying with their offspring for two months straight.
  • In addition, these beetles are very strong; scientists have found up to 16,000 of them in one 1.5kg heap of elephant dung!
  • British researchers found that the beetle’s muscles have evolved to give it super strength, which it uses as a mating strategy to win battles against rivals.
  • The horned dung beetle is able to pull 1,141 times its own weight, which is more than any other land-based animal.
  • This beetle has a significant impact on its environment, as it can mate with other beetles and help spread the manure around.
  • Interestingly, the horned dung beetle prefers to mate with smaller males that avoid battle – likely because they are less threatening and don’t present a risk of injury.
  • The horned dung beetle can move a bus about 20 yards, and it was born in India.
  • The horned dung beetle has to pay attention to diet – even when strong, it is reduced to weaklings if deprived of food for a few days.

What are some of the other strongest insects in the world?

Now, as promised, you will also learn more about the other strongest insects in the world. Briefly put, honey bees, cockroaches, leafcutter ants, and rhinoceros beetles are some of the bugs that you will now find out more about!

Honey bees

Honey bees are ridiculously strong.

Honey bees are one of the toughest and strongest pests that exist. They can survive in a number of different environments and have been known to sting humans when they feel threatened.

While they may not be the prettiest creatures, they are definitely one of the most resilient.

The worker honeybees are the strongest of all the honeybees because they build and protect the hive. They also forage for food and tend to be larger than the queen or drone honeybees.

Even though each worker honey bee only weighs one-tenth of an ounce, they are able to carry over half a pound worth of nectar back to the nest on each trip. This allows the hive to continue making honey and keep the colony thriving.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of the strongest and most durable insects. They can survive for a long time without food or water and can resist many types of poisons.

In fact, they can withstand a lot of radiation exposure, and they are very resistant to most pesticides. In fact, cockroaches have been known to live up to a week without their heads!

American cockroaches die when they are exposed to 67,000 rems of radiation, German cockroaches die when they are exposed to 105,000 rems of radiation, and they can even survive for over a week after being decapitated!

When the disaster of Chornobyl took place, cockroaches were one of the only living things that were able to survive the heat of the nuclear blast along with the intense exposure to nuclear radiation!

Rhinoceros or Hercules beetles

Rhinoceros beetle is also known as the hercules beetle

Rhinoceros beetles and Hercules beetles are two of the strongest insects in the world. They get their strength from their horns and thorax, respectively. These beetles are often used as a source of inspiration for engineers who design heavy-duty equipment.

These beetles, while not the largest in the world, are perhaps some of the strongest. They can carry objects that weigh up to 850 times their own weight for an extended period of time- making them one of nature’s most impressive creatures!

Leafcutter ants

Leafcutter ants

Leafcutter ants are some of the strongest insects in the world. This is because they can carry up to 50 times their own body weight. They are able to do this by using their powerful jaws and muscles to grip objects.

Leafcutter ants are the strongest insects mainly because of their ability to transport food and nesting materials. They use their strength to cut through leaves and carry them back to the colony. This allows them to build their nests quickly and efficiently.

Further, leafcutter ants are important for the ecosystem as they help to recycle leaves. The leaves that the ants cut down are taken back to the nest and used to create compost. This compost is used to grow a fungus, which is the main food source of ants.

Conclusion

While honey bees, cockroaches, rhinoceros beetles, and leafcutter ants are extremely strong, the dung beetle surpasses them in terms of raw strength. Imagine if these insects were the size of humans! They’d be able to move the world singlehandedly.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.