What is the difference between a spider and an insect?
Quick Answer
Spiders are arachnids, not insects. Spiders have eight legs and no antennae, while insects have six legs and usually one pair of antennae.
The Full Story
Spiders and insects are both arthropods, but they belong to different classes. Adult spiders have eight legs and two main body segments, whereas insects have six legs and three main body segments: head, thorax, and abdomen. Spiders also lack antennae and wings, while many insects have one or two pairs of wings. Spiders use fangs and venom to catch prey, while insects have a wide variety of mouthparts and feeding strategies. The distinction is basic to biology and helps explain why spiders, despite often being called “bugs,” are not insects.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"One easy way to tell spiders from insects"
Was this answer helpful?
Tap a reaction — it helps us pick what to cover next.