The title of fastest insect flyer is surprisingly hard to pin down.
Early claims were wildly exaggerated: in 1926, one entomologist suggested a deer botfly could fly at 370 m/s (1,330 km/h) — faster than the speed of sound, which is clearly impossible.
More reliable tests have only been done on a few species in wind tunnels. Locusts have been clocked at around 33 km/h, while the tobacco hornworm hawkmoth can reach about 36 km/h.
There are anecdotal reports of monarch butterflies keeping pace with cars and dragonflies rivaling light aircraft, but these may be influenced by wind conditions.
The best current estimate for the fastest insect is the horsefly, believed capable of reaching 145 km/h — making it the leading contender for the insect speed crown.
If a record-breaker is found, experts think it will likely be another fly species.
