Arachnids vs Insects Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arachnid

Trombiculidae, known in North America as 'chiggers' and in Britain as 'harvest mites', have six legs in the larval stage. At this point they bite humans and animals. As adults they have eight legs and eat decaying organic matter, small arthropods, and small soil-dwelling insects and their eggs.

Answer: Arachnid

Vinegaroons are arachnids. They walk on six of their legs and use the front two for sensing. When threatened, the vinegaroon will shoot a mixture of 85% acetic acid and caprylic acid. It smells like regular vinegar but is 16 times stronger than salad vinegar. They are capable of aiming and spraying up to five times before their glands need to refill.

Answer: Arachnid

There are over 900 species of ticks in existence, and they are parasitic in nature. Ticks are approximately 3-5 mm in length, but become larger when engorged. There are three families of ticks: Ixodidae, known as hard ticks, which comprises over 700 species; Argasidae, known as soft ticks which is made up of approximately 200 species; and Nuttalliellidae which is comprised of just one species. All ticks are obligate ectoparasites; feeding exclusively on the blood of vertebrate hosts.

Answer: Arachnid

There are an estimated 2500 species of scorpions worldwide. They live on every continent except Antarctica; and only approximately 1% of scorpion species possess the type of venom that could kill a human. All scorpions are ambush predators that feed on small invertebrates such as spiders, insects and centipedes.

In addition, all scorpions glow a bright blue-green or yellow-green under UV light due to fluorescent chemicals in their exoskeletons.

Answer: Arachnid

Over 6600 species of harvestmen have been discovered, so far, worldwide. They can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The majority of harvestmen have very long legs in relation to their size. They are often mistaken for spiders, however they are in different orders. Harvestmen do not have fangs, spin webs, or have venom.

They are omnivorous, preying on caterpillars, mites, snails, insects, seeds, algae, pollen, lichen, etc.

Answer: Insect

There are approximately 4600 species of cockroaches with only a few of those species being considered to be pests to humans. They prefer warm, damp, tropical and subtropical regions. They are opportunistic scavengers and will consume almost any organic material. Cockroaches can be brown, reddish-brown, tan, or black depending on the specific species.

Answer: Insect

There are approximately 2500 species of flea in the world. They are small and flightless and live on mammals and birds as external parasites. The larvae live on organic debris and the dried waste of the adults. Adult fleas are obligate blood-feeders and can consume up to 15 times their own body weight in blood a day.

Answer: Insect

There are close to 5000 species of lice, only three of which live on humans: head lice (scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows), body lice (seams of clothing), and pubic lice. Sucking lice eat blood and bodily fluids of their host. Chewing lice eat skin debris, dead skin flakes, fur, feathers, and oil/sebum.

Answer: Insect

There are about 2000 species of earwigs, living on every continent except Antarctica. They are neither venomous nor poisonous. Earwigs can release a foul-smelling fluid when threatened; and have pinchers on their abdomens which they use for catching prey and for defence. They are omnivorous scavengers eating plant tissues, insects and decaying matter.

Answer: Insect

There are about 3000 known species of dragonflies. The adults live between 1 and 8 weeks depending on the species; and they eat a variety of other insects. They have four wings that are arranged in two pairs, one pair of forewings and one pair of hindwings.

The wings do not fold, but can be controlled independently of each other. This independent movement allows the dragonfly to turn in mid-air, change direction, hover, and fly backwards.