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Scientists Reconstruct Head of 9-Foot Ancient Arthropod: Insights into the Largest Insect Ever Introduction As if the sheer size of the largest insect to ever exist-a nearly 9-foot-long creature with dozens of legs-wasn't daunting enough, scientists could previously only s peculate about its head's a p pearance. Fossil Remains and Their Significance The fossils that remain are  primarily headless exoskeletons, left behind during the molting  process, when the creatures shed their outer shells through the head o pening as they grew to 8 or 9 feet long and weighed more than 100  pounds. Detailed Reconstruction of the Head Scientists have now created a detailed reconstruction after analyzing exce ptionally well- preserved, com plete juvenile fossils, though they may not be considered cute. Features of the Giant Insect's Head The head of the giant insect featured a round, bulbous structure with short, bell-sha p ed antennae, crab-like  protruding eyes, and a small mouth ...