"While we’re on the subject of “the world’s largest,” it is critical to mention Herkimer, the world’s largest beetle located near Colorado Springs. Heading south out of town on CO-115, motorists can visit Herkimer at the intersection with Rock Creek Canyon Rd, in Rock Creek Park," the Uncover Colorado reports.

"As a somewhat scary, oversized recreation of a West Indian Hercules Beetle, Herkimer is the unofficial mascot for the May Natural History Museum just up the road. Incredibly, the beetle even survived a road trip of its own, when it was transported to Florida and back shortly after being created in the 1950s."

"Herkimer is the World’s Largest Beetle (the world’s largest West Indian Hercules Beetle to be exact). This Colorado roadside attraction was built in the mid-1950s to attract visitors to the May Museum of the Tropics," the Silly America reports.

"Through the years this giant bug has been vandalized, has been broken, and even spent some to in Florida. Today he has been restored…but now sits behind a barbed-wire fence."

"The world's largest beetle -- a 10-foot-high, 16-foot-long West Indian Hercules Beetle nicknamed "Herkimer" -- was built by John May in 1949 as a roadside eye-grabber for his May Museum of the Tropics, the Roadside America reports..

"A real bug this size would inspire terror, but over the years this replica became vandalized with graffiti and had its legs ripped off. It was occasionally patched and repainted, but close inspection revealed the wear and tear of time: skin cracking at the joints, legs held in place by wrapped wire.

'It stood behind a fence hung with signs that warned of 24/7 video surveillance. Happily, R.J. Steer, John May's grandson, enlisted the help of fiberglass artist Mark Cline (builder of Buck Atom) to give the beetle a complete restoration. It was returned, good as new, to its original spot in May 2022."

"The statue of Herkimer has been the trademark of the May Museum since 1952. He is a male specimen replica of one of the world’s largest beetles, Dynastes Hercules, which is native to the West Indies. The scale is one-foot equals ¼ inch, the official website says. 

"Herkimer has been in his current location, at the entrance to Rock Creek Canyon along Highway 115 for more than sixty years. Prior to this time, he was part of the traveling May Tropical Exhibition. When the collection was housed in Weeki Watchee Springs, Florida in the 1950’s, Herkimer marked the entrance to the exhibit. Actual Hercules beetles can be seen in the museum collection. Specimens can be up to nine inches long, weigh half a pound and often males can carry the females around in their two big jaws.

"On April 18, 2022 Herkimer, the world’s largest beetle and guardian of the May Museum began the first leg on his journey of restoration. The May family worked diligently to dismantle and move him to the indoor pavilion located on the Golden Eagle Ranch property. It had been decades since any major work had been done on the giant Hercules Beetle. He was in dire need of repair lest he be lost forever. At substantial cost, the May family hired professional artist, sculptor and owner of Enchanted Castles Studio, Mark Cline, to complete the repairs."

"After more than a month of restoration and reassembly, the giant 16x10-foot beetle statue known as Herkimer has made a return to the side of State Highway 115. The construct, originally crafted by John May in 1949, has been a feature on the side of the road since the 1960s," the KOAA News5 reports.

"It serves as both a memorable local landmark and the most effective form of advertisement for the May Natural History Museum, a unique museum boasting thousands of exotic insect specimens and operated by May's family, generation after generation, for more than 60 years.

"Through it all, the caretakers of Herkimer and the May Natural History Museum were hands on, "We all participated, [and] rolled up our sleeves," commented R.J. Steer, co-director of the May Natural History Museum, "we were grinding and lifting and re-fabricating and [applying resin] and just all kinds of work; everyone was in our pavilion at one point or another doing the work."

Photo above: John M May, founder of the May Museum. During his lifetime John created an amazing legacy that lives on with the help of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All photos: May Natural History Museum

"May Natural History Museum is an entomology museum in Rock Creek Park, Colorado. The museum describes its holdings as the world's largest private insect collection. The museum's insects and arachnids were collected by amateur naturalist James May from 1903 until his death in 1956; the museum was founded by his son, John May, in 1952.

"The May Museum consists of unique 7,000 specimens of insects and spiders housed in custom-made cases with handwritten labels. The collection includes a wide variety of insects including beetles, butterflies, centipedes, and more, from locations in South America, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. Some specimens included in the museum's collections are now thought to be extinct.

"The museum is advertised by a giant statue of a Hercules beetle known as Herkimer, the world's largest beetle. Herkimer stands on Colorado State Highway 115 as a landmark directing visitors to the museum and campgrounds." (Wikipedia)

"If you're interested in insects or butterflies this should be a "must see" destination for you. I've never seen so many different types of butterflies and insects located in one place. I think it's the largest private butterfly/insect collection in the world. There are over 7,000 butterflies, moths & insects on display at any time and some of the are over 100 years old and you would think they placed there the day before."



"Really cool collection, friendly staff, easy on the pockets. Most of very informative & buggy!!!"

"You don't have to be a bug enthusiast to enjoy this huge collection of insects. There are so many beautiful and strange bugs on display."

"I love this place! Look for the GIANT beetle on 115, and you are there. Can there REALLY be this many giant blue butterflies?"

"If you have young kids....especially boys.....this is a must! It’s definitely a hidden treasure as you will need your GPS to find it (south of town as you go to Canon City). Turn at the giant beetle! Thousands of insects that are fascinating."

"Can you appreciate the beauty of a butterfly or the stunning size of a giant beetle? If so, you need to visit the May Natural History Museum in Colorado Springs. This place has the world’s largest insect collection in Colorado. With more than 8,000 insect specimens here, you’re certain to find at least several intriguing," the Only In Your State reports.

"James May spent his entire lifetime collecting insect specimens from all over the world. He amassed more than 100,000 individual insects! His son, John May, created this museum to house some of his father's insects. He wanted to make them available for public viewing.

"Some of these insects are absolutely huge. Some are quite tiny, but they're all fascinating in their own way. Each is labeled by hand, and placed in an antique display case. The variations between the insects is fascinating."

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