- Joined
- Feb 27, 2005
- Messages
- 499
I know what all the largest insect species are, and those with long lifespans, but not so much the ones you can conceivably acquire. It'd sure be nice if Wetas or Titanus giganteus were available in the pet trade (maybe it'd save the former from that near-extinction thing), but they aren't (as far I know), and I haven't found a great deal of alternatives. Yes, that is probably because being big and old go against everything it means to be an insect, but whatever.
What are the biggest insects of each general "group" that people actually keep as pets? I know the largest roaches (but I live in America, 'nuff said), may try phasmids in the future, and have had some experience with waterbugs, but what about the largest available crickets? Katydids? Beetles? Terrestrial hemiptera? I'm just looking for nice suggestions.
I'm going by appearance, though, not weight. Width and length over physical mass.
And as the title suggests, I'm also interested in knowing what insect pets can live for more than a couple of years, other than just Macropanesthia rhinoceros or the queens of eusocial animals. I know most beetles have short adult lifespans, but I find the grubs just as cool (even if they are about as active and colorful as Jabba the Hutt) - If anyone can suggest a beetle with a long-lived AND huge larval stage, I'll definately be interested in getting one.
What are the biggest insects of each general "group" that people actually keep as pets? I know the largest roaches (but I live in America, 'nuff said), may try phasmids in the future, and have had some experience with waterbugs, but what about the largest available crickets? Katydids? Beetles? Terrestrial hemiptera? I'm just looking for nice suggestions.
I'm going by appearance, though, not weight. Width and length over physical mass.
And as the title suggests, I'm also interested in knowing what insect pets can live for more than a couple of years, other than just Macropanesthia rhinoceros or the queens of eusocial animals. I know most beetles have short adult lifespans, but I find the grubs just as cool (even if they are about as active and colorful as Jabba the Hutt) - If anyone can suggest a beetle with a long-lived AND huge larval stage, I'll definately be interested in getting one.