10 of the Most Stunning Insects in the World

 

Insects are generally thought of as ugly, harmless creatures that flit around in the night and bite people, but they actually have some of the most beautiful traits in the animal kingdom. Here are just 10 of the most stunning insects in the world!

 

1) Devil’s Flower Mantis

The Devil’s Flower Mantis of genus (Idolomantis) is one of the most stunning insects on earth. It takes its name from both the eerie horn-like protrusions that come out from behind its head and its flower-like coloring. Female mantis attracts mates by displaying its beautiful coloring and releasing pheromones. Sexual cannibalism is common in mantises as after mating female eats male.

2) Christmas beetle

Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus) is also known as boxelder bugs. They are found primarily around the Christmas season, that’s why they got their name. They are included in my 10 of the Most Stunning Insects in the World lists. These six-legged beetles have a wide range of colors, including red, yellow and green. They use their antennae to sense their environment, but they can be found hanging on trees or walls all year long. Their bodies are elliptical with a hard outer shell that covers it head to its abdomen.

 

3) Great blue turquoise darner dragonfly

A Great blue turquoise darner dragonfly (Rhionaeschna multicolor) is a brilliantly beautiful and easy to identify insect that can be found near lakes and ponds where it hunts for other insects to eat. At rest, this water-loving insect’s wings fold up over its body in order to allow it to perch on water plants. If a dragonfly land on your head is considered as good luck in some areas.

 

4) Jewel scarab beetle

Genus (Chrysina) are incredible insects on this list, but if I had to choose one to hold a lot of them in my hands, it would be the jewel scarab beetle. It may not look like much on first glance but its elytra the upper forewings look so brightly colored and flashy that it’s hard to overlook. So, I am definitely putting this beetle in my list of 10 of the Most Stunning Insects in the World.

 

5) Peacock spider

Peacock spiders (Maratus volans ) are typically it’s not an insect but considered to be among the most beautiful arachnids. Known for their vibrantly colored scales, they’re a gorgeous and striking addition to any collection. There are currently five different species of peacock spiders, with each one being found throughout a different region. The first peacock spider ever discovered was from Australia, but specimens can also be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Male dance against female to attract her for mating. It is hard to please her because for female you don’t have a choice. Impress her or become her meal.

 

6) Jewel Caterpillar

The beautiful Jewel Caterpillar (Minacraga argentata) is a perfect example of why insects are so worthy of study. It a baby of a moth and it is small and fuzzy, not posing much threat to plants. But it still has some tricks up its sleeve! This caterpillar changes colors as it matures, from brown to red with yellow stripes or orange with black stripes. When it’s all grown up, this caterpillar will have changed into an opalescent jewel on a tree branch. I am adding it my list of 10 of the Most Stunning Insects in the World because, it is so beautiful that you will want to grab it and put it around your neck.

 

7) Blue morpho butterfly

This stunning (Morpho peleides) insect is found mostly in Central and South America. It can be distinguished by its iridescent blue coloring, which gives this insect its common name. Interestingly, this color is not always present–it is created from microscopic structures on the scales that scatter light. The butterfly has a body about 2 inches long with a wingspan of about 4 inches. It is so beautiful that everyone will want to capture it and mostly animals and people can be seen running after it.

 

8) Madagascan Sunset Moth

There are few more stunning insects than the Madagascan Sunset Moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus), with its orange and black wings that provide a stunning contrast against its yellow body. This beautiful moth is found in parts of Africa and south-eastern Asia. It prefers to reside within tropical dry forests but has also been spotted dwelling amongst other subtropical zones as well. With its camouflage coloring, this particular insect stays hidden as it waits for unsuspecting prey to stumble along.

 

9) Pink katydid

The pink katydid (Amblycorypha oblongifolia) is both beautiful and deadly, using its unique methods to capture prey. The insect’s body is bright pink, and its head has a metallic shine, this helps this katydid catch its prey’s attention. Once a bug is within reach, the pink katydid jumps on top of it with all four legs wide open. It then slides down along the bug and covers it with glue. I am adding it my list of 10 of the Most Stunning Insects in the World because it deserves so.

 

10) Red admiral butterfly

The red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) is an aquatic beautiful creature. This beautiful butterfly spends its larval stage floating at the surface of shallow ponds, lakes, streams and marshes. They may also climb up plants that are close to the water’s edge. Adults mate when they emerge from their chrysalis and are active for only two or three weeks before dying.