Children develop their early understanding of insects from books, movies, and the adults in their lives. Unfortunately, insects in works of fiction aren't always portrayed with scientific accuracy, and adults may pass down their own misconceptions about insects. This article outlines fifteen of the most common misconceptions kids have about insects.
11. If it has eight legs, it’s a spider.
Photo: © USDA Agricultural Research Service/Scott Bauer
While it's true a spider has eight legs, not all critters with eight legs are spiders. Members of the class Arachnida are characterized, in part, by having four pairs of legs. Arachnids include a variety of arthropods, from ticks to scorpions. You just can't assume that any creepy crawly with eight legs is a spider.
12. If a bug is in the sink or tub, it came up from the drain.
You can't blame a kid for thinking that. After all, most adults seem to make this assumption, too. Insects don't hide in our plumbing, waiting for an opportunity to pop out and scare us. Our homes are dry environments, and insects and spiders seek out moisture. They're drawn to the more humid environment in our bathrooms and kitchens. Once an insect slips down the slope of a sink or bathtub, it has a hard time crawling back up and ends up stranded near the drain.13. Insects sing like we do, with their mouths.
Photo: © Scott Olson/Getty Images
While we refer to the mating and defensive calls of insects as songs, insects can't produce sounds in the same way we do. Insects do not have vocal cords. Instead, they produce sounds by using different body parts to make vibrations. Crickets and katydids rub their forewings together. Cicadas vibrate special organs called tymbals. Locusts rub their legs against their wings.
