Watch Out for These Top 5 Largest Flying Insects in Canada

Insects are some of the most successful creatures on Earth. Scientists have described over 900,000 species of insects, with experts estimating there are millions more yet to be discovered. In Canada alone, there are around 55,000 insect species crawling or flying around. Among all of these insects, there are a few that stand out due to their incredible size. Not to mention that these huge insects can fly. Join us as we explore some of the largest flying insects in Canada.

5. Common Green Darner – 4.5 Inches

The common green darner (Anax junius) is thought to be the largest dragonfly in Canada. It is one of the most common dragonflies in North America. It has a body that is about 3 inches long and a wingspan of up to 4.5 inches. Males and females are distinguished by their abdomen color. Males have bright blue abdomens, while females have reddish-brown abdomens. They have clear wings with a yellowish tint.

These dragonflies can be found across Canada near slow-moving water such as lakes, marshes, and ponds. Each fall, they migrate from Canada to Central America, returning the following spring. The best time to see these dragonflies is from April or May, when they begin returning north, through October, when large swarms prepare to migrate south.

4. Long-Tailed Giant Ichneumon Wasp – Over 5 Inches

Long-tailed giant ichneumon wasps (Megarhyssa macrurus) are also a common sight in Canada. These wasps can reach about 2 inches in body length, with a total length of over 5 inches including the ovipositor. They have reddish-brown bodies with black and yellow stripes and clear wings. The males are smaller, as they do not have ovipositors.

These wasps are generally seen in the southern parts of Canada near the Great Lakes. These parasitic wasps can be found in woodlands and forests, where their host larvae, the pigeon tremex horntail, bore holes into dead or dying hardwood trees. The best time to see long-tailed giant ichneumon wasps is from June to August, particularly during warm, dry weather.

3. Eastern Dobsonfly – 5.5 Inches

The Eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) is one of the largest aquatic insects on the continent. They have a body length of 5.5 inches with a 5.5-inch wingspan. They are a mottled grey-brown color with white spots on their wings. The males have larger pincers, which they use to compete for mates. However, only bites from females and juveniles are painful.

Eastern dobsonflies are primarily found near clean, fast-moving water in southeastern Canada. Their larvae, called hellgrammites, are found on the rocky bottoms of rivers and streams. These insects are nocturnal, so they are best seen at night from May through July, and possibly into August.

2. Giant Swallowtail Butterfly – Over 6 Inches

Giant swallowtails (Papilio cresphontes) are the largest butterflies in Canada, with wingspans of 6 inches or more. They have dark-colored bodies and wings with striking yellow markings. Their undersides are mostly yellow with some blue and orange. They have a tail and a small red patch on each of their hind wings.

These butterflies can generally be found in southwestern Ontario, but they have also been observed in Quebec and New Brunswick. However, recent research indicates that the range of the giant swallowtail butterfly has expanded northward in Canada, with climate change considered a contributing factor. They prefer open woodlands, fields, and gardens. They can typically be spotted from mid-May to the end of June or the beginning of July.

1. Pine Imperial Moth – 6.8 Inches

The pine imperial moth (Eacles imperialis pini) is arguably the largest flying insect in Canada. The pine imperial moth is a subspecies of the imperial moth, which is found throughout the Americas. It has a body length of around two inches and a wingspan of 6.8 inches. It is primarily yellow, with purple, brown, and burgundy lines, blotches, and spots.

Pine imperial moths prefer lowland, coniferous forests with little to moderate moisture.They can be found north of the Great Lakes region, in southern Ontario, and southwestern Quebec. These moths are nocturnal, so the best time to see them is at night from June to August.