The heaviest insect in Australia weighs the weight of a golf ball

In early 2025, a surprising discovery took place in the insect world: a new species of insect, as heavy as a golf ball.

44 grams is the weight of the insect discovered in a tropical forest in far north Queensland, Australia. This species of insect is believed to be the heaviest in the country to date.

According to Professor Angus Emmott and his colleagues at James Cook University, the reason this species has never been seen before is due to its virtually inaccessible habitat. The insect "is restricted to a small area of ​​high-altitude rainforest and lives in the canopy," explains Emmott. "Therefore, unless a cyclone or a bird knocks one down, very few people have the opportunity to see them."

This explains it

The Australian professor also indicates that the insect's large size and weight could be explained by its habitat. "The environment in which they live is cool and humid." He added: "Their body mass probably helps them survive colder conditions, and that's why they became this large insect over millions of years."

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source : - Illustration : ©Unsplash)