Kendal Meharg September 2010

Lots of creatures get lumped into the category of creepy-crawlies….. Insects Arthropods Crustaceans Arachnids But what does it mean to be an insect??

 Six Legs (3 pairs of jointed legs)  A body divided into a head, thorax and abdomen  An exoskeleton  Two antennae

 Insects can only have 6 legs No more no less!  Insects must have two antenna  Spiders are arachnids not insects.

 Ants fulfill all the requirements of an insect:  Six legs  Body divided into: head, thorax and abdomen  Two antenna  Exoskeleton

 Centipedes have too many legs!  There bodies are not divided up into a head, thorax and abdomen  Although they are sometimes grouped into the category of insects; centipedes are arthropods.

 Crabs are crustaceans  They have an exoskeleton, however they have more than 6 legs and don’t have antenna

 The cockroach had exactly six legs  Its body is divided into 3 parts: head thorax and abdomen  And Cockroaches have an exoskeleton: this is why they crunch and squish when you step on them!!

If a creature has:  Six Legs (3 pairs of jointed legs)  A body divided into a head, thorax and abdomen  An exoskeleton  Two antennae Then it’s an Insect!

 Spider: baja-califorina-guide.html  Ant: family-matters-argentine-ants/  Centipede: bites.html  Crab: crabs-exchange-sex-survival  Cockroach: htm/printable