Among the listed corn pests, which is an arachnid rather than an insect?

Among the listed corn pests, which is an arachnid rather than an insect?

• A. corn rootworm
• B. black cutworm
• C. white grubs
• D. spider mites

Answer: (D)

Spider mites are arachnids, a group that includes spiders, scorpions, and mites. They have eight legs and no antennae, and their bodies are arranged in a way that differs from insects. In contrast, the other pests listed are insects: corn rootworm and white grubs are beetle-related larvae, and black cutworm is a caterpillar—the larval form of a moth. Insects have six legs, three body parts, and typically one pair of antennae (and many have wings as adults). So the pest that is an arachnid rather than an insect is spider mites.

Spider mites are arachnids, a group that includes spiders, scorpions, and mites. They have eight legs and no antennae, and their bodies are arranged in a way that differs from insects. In contrast, the other pests listed are insects: corn rootworm and white grubs are beetle-related larvae, and black cutworm is a caterpillar—the larval form of a moth. Insects have six legs, three body parts, and typically one pair of antennae (and many have wings as adults). So the pest that is an arachnid rather than an insect is spider mites.