The Difference Between Bugs or Insects and Spiders

Classification

• The anthropod classification is split into five groups: trilobitomorpha, chelicerata, myriapoda, hexapoda and crustacea. One of the groups, hexapoda, has insecta as a sub-class. All insects are grouped into this sub-class, including true bugs. Spiders are found under the group chelicerata. The chelicerata is split into several sub-classes, one of which is arachnida. Under arachnida comes spiders, scorpions and mites. Therefore, the spider is one of a variety of arachnids, while the insect covers millions of subspecies, including bees, flies and moths.

Legs, Wings and Sensory Parts

• A clear difference between insects and spiders is the number of legs. Insects have six legs. All spiders have eight legs. Most insects, including all true bugs, have wings. No specie of spider has wings. Also, the insect has two antennae that act as a sensory aid. A spider does not have antennae. Instead, it uses sensitive hairs on its legs to pick up sounds, vibrations and scent. Some species of spider use their front legs as antennae.

Body

• All insects have a body split into three parts. These are the head, thorax and abdomen. Its legs and wings are attached to the thorax. A spider's body is split into two parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Unlike the insect, the head and thorax is one body part called the cephalothorax. The abdomen and cephalothorax are joined by a thin waist, which allows the abdomen to move in every direction.

Diet

• The diet of an insect and spider differs. Insects have a wide variety of food, depending on the species. They eat roots, leaves, stems, seeds, fruit, dead animals, manure and the blood of larger animals. Some insects even eat paper, lint and plastic. Spiders are predators of insects. Some larger species also eat mice and small frogs.