This Really Bugs Me!

Bugs, Insects, Arachnids. What’s the Difference?

“Bug” is a universally accepted term used to describe most creepy-crawly creatures we encounter in and around our homes, apartments, places of business and etc. But, not everything we call a bug is truly a bug. In fact, the critters we call “bugs” usually fall into one of three categories: bugs, insects, or arachnids. Confused? At Hopper Termite & Pest we definitely know the difference. Day in and day out we deal with all types of bugs and insects and basically all pests in between. Check out the picture below to learn some of the main differences between bugs, insects, and arachnids.

Bugs

Order: Hemiptera

Class: Insecta

Phylum: Arthropods

Kingdom: Animalia

Characteristics: Hardened Forewings, No Teeth, Stylet (straw-shaped mouth for sucking the juice from plants or mammals), One Set of Wings

Life Cycle:  Incomplete Metamorphosis (Egg, Larva/Caterpillar, Winged Adults)

Numbers: 75,000 Species

Popular Species: Cicadas, Stink Bugs, Bed Bugs, Water Bugs, Aphids, Boxelder Bugs, Lice

Insects

Order: Hymenoptera

Class: Insecta

Phylum: Arthropods

Kingdom: Animalia

Characteristics: Three-Part Bodies (Head, Thorax, Abdomen), Two Pairs of Wings (in some species, only reproductive members have wings), Three Pairs of Legs, Sensory Antennae, Proboscis (retractable “straw”) or Chewing Mouthparts

Life Cycle: Metamorphosis (Egg, Larva/ Caterpillar, Pupa/ Cocoon, Adult)

Numbers: 150,000 Species

Popular Species: Bees, Mosquitoes, Cockroaches, Beetles, Ants, Dragonflies, Moths, Wasps, Flies, Grasshoppers, Crickets

Arachnids

Class: Arachnids

Phylum: Arthropods

Kingdom: Animalia

Characteristics: Eight Legs, No Antennae, No Wings, Two Body Segments

Life Cycle: Egg, Immature (Resembles Adult) or Bear Live Young (Scorpions)

Numbers: 100,000 Species

Popular Species: Centipedes, Spiders, Ticks, Mites, Scorpions

Give Us a Call

Here at Hopper Termite & Pest, we are prepared to handle all types of bugs, insects, and arachnids! If you have concerns about any of these pests in or around your home, be sure to contact us today. We can put your “bug” concerns to bed!