Bugs of Middle East
Camel spiders, palm weevils, deathstalker scorpions.
14 on file
Deathstalker Scorpion
Deadliest scorpion on Earth. Venom: $39M per gallon. Used to light up brain tumors.
Desert Locust
Solitary green bug, until crowded. Then it turns yellow, swarms, and darkens the sky.
European Mole Cricket
Builds an underground trumpet. Sings through it. Calls audible 600 meters away.
Olive Fruit Fly
Single most important pest of olive production worldwide. Major Mediterranean economic threat.
Manna Cicada
The cicada of Mediterranean antiquity. Plato wrote about her chorus. Sap source of historical 'manna.'
European Mantis
The original 'praying mantis' — Linnaeus named her for the prayer-like raptorial pose in 1758.
Silver Y Moth
Migrates billions between North Africa and northern Europe. Ground speed exceeds 100 km/h on tailwinds.
Emperor Dragonfly
Largest dragonfly in Europe. 95% hunting success. Eats prey in flight. Brilliant sky-blue abdomen.
Pine Processionary Caterpillar
Marches in head-to-tail processions of hundreds. Bristles cause anaphylaxis. Kills dogs.
Khapra Beetle
Most-feared stored grain pest. Larvae survive YEARS without food. One specimen triggers container fumigation.
Fat-Tailed Scorpion
Latin name means 'man-killer.' Hundreds of deaths per year across North Africa and the Middle East.
Sand Fly
Tiny enough to slip through mosquito netting. Vector of leishmaniasis. Affects 12 million people.
Giant Peacock Moth
Largest moth in Europe. 20 cm wingspan. The species that proved insect pheromones exist in 1879.
Camel Spider
Third major arachnid order. Largest jaws-to-body ratio in arachnids. The fastest arachnid runner.