Insects<span>, which are a type of </span>arthropod<span>, are easily the most numerous group of multicellular </span>organisms<span> on the planet, with about a million species identified so far. The title of heaviest insect in the world has many rivals, the most frequently crowned of which is the </span>larval stage<span> of the </span>goliath beetle<span>, </span>Goliathus goliatus<span>, the top size of which is at least 115 g (4.1 oz) and 11.5 cm (4.5 in). The largest confirmed weight of an adult insect is 71 g (2.5 oz) for a </span>giant weta<span>, </span>Deinacrida heteracantha,[1]<span> although it is likely one of the </span>elephant beetles<span>, </span>Megasoma elephas<span> and </span>Megasoma actaeon<span>, or </span>goliath beetles, both of which can commonly exceed 50 g (1.8 oz) and 10 cm (3.9 in), can reach a higher weight.<span>[1]</span>
