Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

Which of the following is an insect?

1. Centipede.

2. Sowbug.

3. Mite.

4. None of the above.

The correct answer is: None of the above.

The selection of "None of the above" as the correct answer is based on the classification of the organisms listed. Insects belong to a specific class within the phylum Arthropoda, characterized by having three main body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), six legs, and often wings at some life stage. Centipedes are classified as myriapods and belong to a separate class known as Chilopoda, which distinguishes them from true insects. They have multiple segments, each generally containing one pair of legs, and their body structure differs significantly from that of insects. Sowbugs, on the other hand, are crustaceans and are more closely related to shrimp and crabs than to insects. They belong to the class Malacostraca and are not included in the insect classification. Their anatomy reflects this lineage, exhibiting features typical of crustaceans rather than insects. Mites, while often confused as insects, actually belong to the class Arachnida along with spiders and ticks. They have eight legs as adults and a body format that splits into two main segments rather than three, which is a defining feature of insects. Thus, since none of the listed organisms qualifies as an insect, selecting "None of the above