<P> Insects , which are a type of arthropod , are easily the most numerous group of multicellular organisms on the planet , with about a million species identified so far . The title of heaviest insect in the world has many rivals , the most frequently crowned of which is the larval stage of the goliath beetle , Goliathus goliatus , the top size of which is at least 115 g ( 4.1 oz ) and 11.5 cm ( 4.5 in ) . The largest confirmed weight of an adult insect is 71 g ( 2.5 oz ) for a giant weta , Deinacrida heteracantha , although it is likely one of the elephant beetles , Megasoma elephas and Megasoma actaeon , or goliath beetles , both of which can commonly exceed 50 g ( 1.8 oz ) and 10 cm ( 3.9 in ) , can reach a higher weight . </P>
<P> Insects , which are a type of arthropod , are easily the most numerous group of multicellular organisms on the planet , with about a million species identified so far . The title of heaviest insect in the world has many rivals , the most frequently crowned of which is the larval stage of the goliath beetle , Goliathus goliatus , the top size of which is at least 115 g ( 4.1 oz ) and 11.5 cm ( 4.5 in ) . The largest confirmed weight of an adult insect is 71 g ( 2.5 oz ) for a giant weta , Deinacrida heteracantha , although it is likely one of the elephant beetles , Megasoma elephas and Megasoma actaeon , or goliath beetles , both of which can commonly exceed 50 g ( 1.8 oz ) and 10 cm ( 3.9 in ) , can reach a higher weight . </P>
the largest living creature in the insect world
the largest living creature in the insect world
the goliath beetle , Goliathus goliatus
the goliath beetle , Goliathus goliatus