Largest aquatic insect in the world found in China By Bec Crew | July 22, 2014 | Scientific Ame

Largest aquatic insect in the world found in China
By Bec Crew | July 22, 2014 | Scientific American Blog Network

1. New species of Megaloptera insect, shown with a chicken’s egg for scale.
   Credit: China News Service/Zhong Xin
2. The largest aquatic insect ever found.
   Credit: China News Service/Zhong Xin

Images have surfaced of a newly discovered insect reported to be the largest aquatic insect in the world. Found in the mountains of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province, the specimen boasts a wingspan of 21 cm. While very little is known about the specimen at this point, it’s been identified as belonging to the order Megaloptera, which includes about 300 described species of winged alderflies, dobsonflies and fishflies.

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