BUGS!!!!!!!!!!

A long time ago in a magical place called Madison, Wisconsin, I saw a friend for the last time before making the long journey to South Africa. As we said our goodbyes, surrounded by the carnival-like atmosphere of the Art Fair on the Square, she had one last parting request. She had heard tales of the gigantic bugs that roamed around Africa and she wanted some photos of them. Two years later this request is still in my mind and over our time here I have collected a few of these pictures. I’m sure some other folks out there are also fascinated by giant bugs so I thought I’d post them for all to see.
So Heidi, this one’s for you… It’s the Big Bug Blog!! Enjoy!!

Andrea

WARNING: the following images may not be suitable for the squeamish…


My foot for size, but there’s also a close up for effect! Some kind of heavily armored cricket, I would guess.

Somehow it doesn’t seem like those teeny wings could get that fat body off the ground!

Adam, enjoying the cuisine that nature has to offer.

This little guy found his way into my backpack, which I discovered when trying to pack for our very first vacation.

I have no idea what this is. Maybe an ant on steroids. All I know is that it was huge and made angry hissing noises at me when getting this photograph.

Giant millipedes of the Kalahari Desert.

No African bug collection would be complete without dung beetles! They sound like airplanes when they fly by your head!