Well, if you thought giants insects died out with the Flood, you need to visit Costa Rica! After hearing about an opportunity to buy land in Costa Rica in June, I found myself – less than a week later – on my way to CR before I even I knew what time zone they were in. So needless to say, I had no idea that CR is home to some pretty BIG bugs!
When I discovered giant grasshoppers about 6 inches long, I asked a kid to hunt for any big insects. Soon I had seen giant blue butterflies the size of small plates and giant frogs who left calling cards as big as cat doodoo!
Anyway, I have very long fingers so my from finger tip to wrist I’m about 6 & ¾ inches. But that grasshopper in the photo was only a small one! The big ones were 10 inches with red wings underneath. Quite startling and cool.
Then there were the giants of the beetle family – the rhino beetles. I had 3 awesome specimens (dead) in a glass jar to bring home. I declared them and had no problem getting through customs, but I had to go to Aspen for the weekend and when I tried to fly home Monday morning I was in for a big surprise!
It just so happens I was one of the lucky ones to be frisked. Well… when the female security guard jumped back and yelled – causing the other security guards to come running – I thought, oh the poor lady is afraid of my 3-4 inch long beetles and probably doesn’t realize they are dead. That was until she held up the jar and I saw large maggots crawling all over inside the jar! GROSS!