Sep 19, 2007

National Security

I mentioned in my last post that I wouldn't be willing to hold a huge grub in my hand. I think the internet is conspiring against me. In a freakish moment of synchronicity, I stumbled across this photo.

Can this be? Can there be a grub that gets this large? What on earth would it metamorphose into? Do we need to warn the Japanese that there is another Gargantuan on the horizon? This might be a matter of national security.

Photo source: Knuttz.net

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I"m gonan go die now.

*dies*

Anonymous said...

It's a rhino beetle grub, probably Hercules beetle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_beetle

Arachnophile said...

Yup, they get that big and are, some would say, quite tasty. ;)

I'd be honored to hold one but I don't think I could eat one.

booge said...

Isopods and now enormous grubs--Raging Wombat, you've outdone yourself this week. You deserve some pie.

Nebulous Grey said...

Nnnnnggghhh.

*hides in the corner*

That just scared the crap out of me.
And almost nothing on this site actually -scares- me.
There's just a difference between creepy-ish but gorgeous spiders and a...a...that.
Could we get a picture up of the beatle/whatever it turns into?

Anonymous said...

Booge is right. Between the isopods and that gargantuan grub, you've given me the biggest case of the creeps yet. Well done.

Anonymous said...

bettah get a bucket....

Anonymous said...

Holy fricking crow.

The link mentions that the larvae of the Hercules beetle get to be up to 4.5 inches, but this one is longer than that--more like 8 inches if it wasn't curved. I think it's a Tapir or maybe even a hippo larvae. No other explanation...

Anonymous said...

Here's a pic of a hercules beetle larva, pretty much the same size:
http://h-r.gmxhome.de/D_hercules/D-hercules-L3%2006b.jpg

Anonymous said...

I agree with kung foodie kat - I think I'm gonna barf. For real this made me nauseated. Uuuuhhh. I'm green.

Victorya said...

I wonder how many people this grub can feed, or feed on. . . .

Anonymous said...

GAAAAAGH!!! GAAAAAAGH!!! *dance dance run circles wave hands*

Your work is done here.

PS- I wonder if it tastes like a baked potato when ya cook it?

Raging Wombat said...

I love you guys! All the research and comments. Hippo larvae! Baked potato! Good stuff. :)

Arachnophile said...

ARG! As long as it's not an APE larvae! *shudders*

Anonymous said...

Wait! It IS an ape larvae! Baboon, to be exact. (I looked it up.) That dark part on the back end will later become the rump cushion that they sit on. Now the photo makes sense....

Anonymous said...

That thing looks like it should be lurking behind a Speedo!

--TwoDragons

Nebulous Grey said...

Ahahahah! TwoDragons! HAH!
*gasps for breath*
Dear lord, I agree.

Anonymous said...

I was happier when I didn't know these existed.

Anonymous said...

possibly tiny hands though?