Discover the Strongest Insect in the World

There are over one million known species of insects in the world, with thousands discovered each and every year. However, even among so many different species, when it comes to strength, one insect reigns supreme. Continue reading below to discover the strongest insect in the world, as well as why such strength is important for this species. 

What is the World’s Strongest Insect?

When you think about the strongest insect in the world, you might think of ants or the Hercules beetle first. After all, ants can carry up to 50 times their own body weight, and adult Hercules beetles can lift up to 850 times their size. However, even with these species’ superhuman strength, there’s still one species that is considered to be even stronger. 

As of right now, the strongest insect in the world is the horned dung beetle (Onthophagus taurus).

How Strong is the Horned Dung Beetle?

The horned dung beetle is able to pull up to 1,141 times its own body weight. If that isn’t impressive on its own, it is important to consider that the horned dung beetle is only around 10 millimeters long. As a result, for a horned dung beetle to pull a weight this large, it is the equivalent of an adult human lifting two 18-wheel trucks. 

The horned dung beetle’s super strength was discovered using a rather interesting method. In order to test how strong these beetles are, scientists had to carefully tiptoe the line between proving their full strength and overexerting or injuring the specimen. As a result, the methods used are rather innovative.

To test the horned dung beetle’s brawn, scientists attached a small cotton thread to the hard shell of the beetle’s wings. They then threaded the string across a pulley, where a miniature bucket was attached to the end. To this bucket, scientists added drops of water to safely measure the horned dung beetle’s strength.

Following closely behind the horned dung beetle is the rhinoceros beetle, the latter of which is also considered to be among the strongest insects in the world. However, when it comes to comparing brawn, horned dung beetles are often much stronger than the rhinoceros beetle.

Why are Horned Dung Beetles So Strong?

Believe it or not, most scientists believe that the horned dung beetle didn’t develop its strength in order to succeed in day-to-day life. Instead, the horned dung beetle’s strength plays a critical role in the mating behaviors and courtship rituals of this species. 

Horned dung beetles are named for the fact that, when they come across a pile of animal feces, they will dig tunnels through the waste and into the soil. These tunnels provide a place for this species to store feces, which they will eat over time. But, their strength isn’t needed for digging these tunnels. 

When a male wants to mate with a female, he will wait at the entrance to her tunnel. However, when multiple males want to mate with a female, there can be several individuals waiting here. Because they wish to spread their genes onto the next generation, it becomes a tough competition to find a mate. As a result, the horned dung beetle will use its strength to “wrestle” with other males. The loser in each match will retreat, leaving the strongest horned dung beetle to mate with the female.

If strength is one of the attributes passed on through the breeding process, then this helps ensure that the next generation will be stronger than the next. 

Species Profile: Horned Dung Beetle

The horned dung beetle is also known as the taurus scarab. It is a species of dung beetle found in several parts of the world. This includes North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their long, horn-like protrusions on their heads. However, these horns are only present in males, and not every male horned dung beetle will sport them. Along with their superb strength, the horned dung beetle uses these horns to aid in fighting rivals for breeding rights. 

Horned dung beetles are essential in the ecosystems where they live. By digging tunnels through waste and burying it, they help disperse necessary nutrients back into the soil. They also remove breeding grounds for flies by doing so. This controls the population of flies, which can improve the quality of living for animals such as cattle. 

The dung collected in the tunnels by horned dung beetles is used similarly to flies. Once in the tunnels, the waste becomes brood balls, providing a place to incubate eggs. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Villiers Steyn/Shutterstock.com