Pest Control Technician Practice Exam

Which characteristics distinctly separate spiders from insects?

1. More body segments and longer legs

2. Eight legs, no wings or antennae

3. Smaller size and more legs

4. Ability to fly and larger eyes

The correct answer is: Eight legs, no wings or antennae

The distinguishing characteristics that separate spiders from insects fundamentally lie in their anatomical structure. Spiders possess eight legs compared to the six legs found in insects. Additionally, spiders do not have wings or antennae, which are common features among most insects. This combination of eight legs and the absence of wings and antennae is a definitive characteristic that clearly differentiates spiders from the broader insect classification. In contrast, other choices do not accurately reflect the key differences. For example, while the option mentioning more body segments might appeal to some differences, it's not a primary factor in distinguishing spiders from insects. Additionally, stating smaller size and more legs is misleading, as spiders have a standard count of eight legs, and size varies widely across species of both groups. Lastly, the ability to fly and having larger eyes does not universally apply to all insects, as many do not have the ability to fly, and eye size varies considerably among both spiders and insects. Thus, the unique combination of eight legs with no wings or antennae firmly supports why the correct choice is the one that highlights these characteristics.