Top 10 Longest Insects by Body Length in the World
The ten longest insects in the world by body length, from the record-breaking Phryganistria stick insect to the giant Atlas moth — ranked by maximum body length in centimeters.
Insects come in an astonishing range of sizes, and the longest species are almost exclusively stick insects (Phasmatodea), whose elongated bodies mimic twigs and branches. The title of world's longest insect has been broken multiple times in recent decades as new species are discovered, especially in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The current record holder, discovered in 2014 in China, measures over 62 centimeters with its legs fully extended.
This list ranks the ten longest insects in the world by maximum body length in centimeters, including both the body length (excluding legs) and the full leg-span measurement for comparison. The rankings follow the body-length standard used by Guinness World Records.
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Body length (cm)
Body length (cm)
Phryganistria "chinensis"
38 cm
Ctenomorpha gargantua
35 cm
Phryganistria heusii heusii
33 cm
Phobaeticus serratipes
32 cm
Phobaeticus chani
30 cm
Zompros phyllocaulus
28 cm
Titan stick insect (Acrophylla titan)
27 cm
Giant walking stick (Megaphasma denticrus)
25 cm
Giant stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
22 cm
Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
11.5 cm
The ranking
1
Phryganistria "chinensis"
Phryganistria "chinensis" is an informally named, currently undescribed species of stick insect discovered in 2014 near Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. The longest recorded specimen measures 64.0 cm (25.2 in) with legs fully extended, making it the world's longest insect according to Guinness World Records. Its body length alone is approximately 36–38 cm. The species was bred and verified at the Insect Museum of West China in Chengdu, receiving its Guinness certificate in August 2017.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: China (Guangxi)Leg span: 64.0 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Undescribed species
2
Ctenomorpha gargantua
Ctenomorpha gargantua, the gargantuan stick insect, is a species endemic to the rainforests of Queensland, Australia. Females can reach a body length of 35 cm (14 in), making it the longest insect in Australia and one of the longest in the world. The species was first described in 2019 from specimens collected in the Daintree Rainforest region. Males are significantly smaller, reaching about 15 cm.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: Australia (Queensland)Leg span: ~55 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described 2019
3
Phryganistria heusii heusii
Phryganistria heusii heusii is a stick insect species found in Malaysia and Indonesia. Females reach a body length of approximately 33 cm (13 in), with a total leg span of about 54 cm. It was previously known as the longest stick insect species before the discovery of Phryganistria "chinensis." The species is found in the lowland rainforests of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: Malaysia / IndonesiaLeg span: ~54 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described species
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4
Phobaeticus serratipes
Phobaeticus serratipes, the giant Malaysian stick insect, is one of the longest known stick insects, with females reaching a body length of up to 32 cm (12.5 in) and a total leg span approaching 55 cm. It is native to the rainforests of Malaysia and Singapore. The species was first described in 1908 by the British entomologist Edward Shelford and is a popular species in insect collections and zoos.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: Malaysia / SingaporeLeg span: ~55 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described 1908
5
Phobaeticus chani
Phobaeticus chani (Chan's megastick) was discovered in the rainforests of Sabah, Borneo, and held the title of the world's longest insect from 2008 until 2014. The holotype specimen, deposited at the Natural History Museum in London, has a body length of 35.7 cm and a leg span of 56.7 cm, but later specimens showed slightly smaller body lengths. The species was named after Malaysian naturalist Datuk Chan Chew Lun.
Zompros phyllocaulus is a stick insect from the island of New Guinea, with females reaching body lengths of approximately 28 cm (11 in). The species was described in the early 2000s and is found in the highland forests of Papua New Guinea. Its body is adapted to resemble rough bark, and it is known for its slow, deliberate movements that enhance its camouflage.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: Papua New GuineaLeg span: ~45 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described 2000s
7
Titan stick insect (Acrophylla titan)
Acrophylla titan, the titan stick insect, is a large phasmid species native to eastern Australia, with females reaching a body length of approximately 27 cm (10.6 in). It is one of the heaviest stick insects in Australia. The species is brown or green with spines along its body and legs, providing excellent camouflage among eucalyptus trees. Despite its large size, it is rarely seen in the wild due to its exceptional camouflage.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: Australia (eastern)Leg span: ~40 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described species
8
Giant walking stick (Megaphasma denticrus)
Megaphasma denticrus, the giant walking stick, is the longest insect in North America, with females reaching a body length of approximately 25 cm (9.8 in). It is found in the south-central United States, from Texas to the Carolinas. The species is active at night, feeding on leaves of oak, grape, and other plants. Males are considerably smaller and more slender than females.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: United States (south-central)Leg span: ~35 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described species
9
Giant stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
Eurycantha calcarata, the giant spiny stick insect, is native to New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands, with females reaching a body length of 22 cm (8.7 in). Unlike most stick insects, it has heavy, robust legs with large spines, and is capable of delivering a defensive pinch. It is one of the most popular stick insect species in captivity due to its hardiness and ease of breeding.
Order: PhasmatodeaRegion: New Guinea / Solomon Is.Leg span: ~30 cmWingspan: N/A (flightless)Status: Described species
10
Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is the largest moth in the world by wing area, but its caterpillar stage is also one of the longest insect larvae, reaching up to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in body length. The adult moth has a wingspan of up to 25–30 cm (10–12 in), making it one of the largest lepidopterans by wing area. It is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia.
Order: LepidopteraRegion: Southeast AsiaLeg span: N/A (larva)Wingspan: 25–30 cmStatus: Described species
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Full comparison
#
Name
Order
Region
Leg span
Wingspan
Status
1
Phryganistria "chinensis"
Phasmatodea
China (Guangxi)
64.0 cm
N/A (flightless)
Undescribed species
2
Ctenomorpha gargantua
Phasmatodea
Australia (Queensland)
~55 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described 2019
3
Phryganistria heusii heusii
Phasmatodea
Malaysia / Indonesia
~54 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described species
4
Phobaeticus serratipes
Phasmatodea
Malaysia / Singapore
~55 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described 1908
5
Phobaeticus chani
Phasmatodea
Borneo (Malaysia)
~56 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described 2008
6
Zompros phyllocaulus
Phasmatodea
Papua New Guinea
~45 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described 2000s
7
Titan stick insect (Acrophylla titan)
Phasmatodea
Australia (eastern)
~40 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described species
8
Giant walking stick (Megaphasma denticrus)
Phasmatodea
United States (south-central)
~35 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described species
9
Giant stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
Phasmatodea
New Guinea / Solomon Is.
~30 cm
N/A (flightless)
Described species
10
Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)
Lepidoptera
Southeast Asia
N/A (larva)
25–30 cm
Described species
How we ranked this
Insects are ranked by maximum body length in centimeters, measured from the head to the tip of the abdomen (excluding antennae, wings, and legs). For the longest species (stick insects), the leg-span measurement is also provided for context, as the fully extended legs can add significant additional length. Measurements are sourced from Guinness World Records, entomological publications, and museum specimen records. Only extant insect species with verified maximum measurements are included; extinct species (such as the prehistoric Meganeura) are excluded.
FAQ
What is the difference between body length and total leg span for stick insects?
Body length is measured from the head to the tip of the abdomen, excluding the legs, antennae, and wings. This is the standard measurement used for ranking insect lengths. The total leg span includes the fully extended legs, which can nearly double the apparent length of the insect. For example, Phryganistria "chinensis" has a body length of about 38 cm but a leg span of 64 cm.
Are there extinct insects that were longer than these?
Yes. The extinct dragonfly-like insect Meganeura monyi from the Carboniferous period (about 300 million years ago) had a wingspan of up to 75 cm (30 in) and a body length estimated at approximately 40–45 cm. However, since only fossilized wing impressions exist, complete body length estimates are uncertain. This list covers only extant (living) insect species.
Why are stick insects the longest insects?
Stick insects (order Phasmatodea) have evolved elongated, twig-like bodies as camouflage against predators. Their slow, deliberate movements and ability to remain motionless for long periods, combined with their body shape, make them nearly invisible among branches and twigs. This evolutionary strategy allows them to grow to extreme lengths, as longer, more twig-like bodies provide better camouflage rather than being a disadvantage.