Big Bodacious Bugs! Part 7 - Final

1. Tenodera sinensis: Chinese praying mantis - Size: 7 inches long. This large, carnivorous insect is native to Asia and is also found in North America, thanks to its eggs being commercially available to the public. These mantises vary in color from green to brown, with a distinguishing yellow spot between the front legs. They prey on other insects and sometimes small vertebrates, like hummingbirds, but can also outcompete native species in their introduced habitats. Have you ever seen any type of a praying mantis in real life?

2. Titanus giganteus: Titan beetle - Size: 6.6 inches long. The Titan beetle is an insect to be reckoned with: When cornered, it will make a hissing sound to ward off predators, and its jaw is strong enough to penetrate human skin if necessary. This beetle is also so large that it cannot take off through wing power alone; it needs to first launch itself off of a tree to fly. It is the largest known beetle in the Amazon rain forest and one of the largest insect species in the world. It typically lives in the rain forests of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, the Guianas and north-central Brazil. Have you ever been to a rain forest?

3. Tropidacris: Tropidacris grasshopper - Size: 5 inches long, 9-inch wingspan. The Tropidacris grasshopper uses color to protect itself: Nymphs use black and yellow to ward off predators, while grown adults adopt green, yellow, and brown to camouflage themselves. It also hears via the belly: its tympanal organ, which is in the abdomen, completes this task. The antennae, on the other hand, house its sense of smell. These grasshoppers are found in various habitats across the Americas and are not harmful to humans and their venomous nymphs are described as bitter-tasting. However, they can be considered agricultural pests in some areas due to the damage they can cause to crops. Have you ever caught a grasshopper before?