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What is the largest insect in the world? – David, 10, Wisconsin

January 30, 2025 melissamayer

Dear David,

I like big bugs. I cannot lie.

But which insect is the biggest? I asked my friend Rich Zack. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State University.

He told me the answer depends on how you define big.

One way is how much matter makes up an insect’s body. The insects with the most body mass are giant beetles. These include titan beetles, Goliath beetles, rhinoceros beetles and elephant beetles. They can be the size of a mouse.

What are butterfly cocoons made of? — Anabelle, 8, Massachusetts

August 24, 2023 melissamayer

Dear Anabelle,

When I was a kit, I looked a lot like the adult cat I would become—even though I was smaller and fluffier. But wiggly caterpillars don’t look like butterflies at all.

I talked about this with my friend Allan Felsot. He’s an insect scientist at Washington State University.

He told me cocoons are mostly silk. But they’re usually made by moths. A butterfly “cocoon” isn’t really a cocoon at all. It’s called a chrysalis.