# What is with the insects?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 4, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076 "2011-12-04T23:38:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/1 "2011-12-04T23:38:51Z")
I’m roasting some veggies and just went in to check on them and what do I see? I beetle on the floor. I got it to grab onto a paper towel, then I tossed it, and paper towel out onto my deck. I then set timer for 3 minutes… I come back to the kitchen to find a very large spider crawling across my counter and into the silverware drawer. At this point, I think it best to just nuke the premises. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/2 "2011-12-04T23:54:45Z")
They’re coming for you! ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/3 "2011-12-04T23:55:46Z")
Also, maybe you stole her beetle and she’s piiiiissssed. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/4 "2011-12-05T16:54:26Z")
Insect, singular. One insect, one arachnid. Sorry, I’m a zoology freak, I can’t help it. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/5 "2011-12-05T17:05:38Z")
No, the OP correctly used the word. From Merriam-Webster: Definition of INSECT 1a : _any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as **spiders** or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented — **not used technically** _ b : any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings 2: a trivial or contemptible person I’ll go out on a limb and say that the OP was not using the word in a technical sense. Sense 1b is typically used to describe “true insects.” ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/6 "2011-12-05T17:13:20Z")
So insects is an acceptable way to describe a group of bugs that includes a spider? I’m curious because I’m going to be writing a book review (not of a technical book, but a children’s picture book) that includes a spider, among others, and I wasn’t quite sure how to talk about all the creatures without it looking like I thought spiders were insects. Creepy crawlies was the only thing I could come up with… ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/7 "2011-12-05T17:19:52Z")
Yeah, as long as you’re not writing for some zoological types. In fact the original definition of “insect” included probably just about all terrestrial arthropods, including probably wood lice, which are actually terrestrial crustaceans. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/8 "2011-12-05T17:27:29Z")
_twitch_ _twitch_ _twitch_ You are all pushing me closer to the edge of my sanity. Insects! Arachnids! Insects! Arachnids! ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/9 "2011-12-05T19:04:09Z")
Thanks, **Earl**! ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/10 "2011-12-05T19:10:25Z")
I for one would never call a spider an insect, despite what the dictionary includes. Centipedes and wood lice, maybe. But not spiders. Spiders are cool enough that they shouldn’t get lumped in with those other silly bugs. I WOULD refer to a spider as a bug though. Bug is very general. as to the OP, make sure you tell your neighbors before going nuclear. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/11 "2011-12-05T19:23:07Z")
Hey at least it wasn’t one of these: **Caution, those with bug phobia should either sit down while opening this, or not open it at all** Personally, I think it’s wicked cool and would love to see one in person 🆒 [_Big_ Bug!](http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/111201-coslog-insect-415p.photoblog900.jpg) [The full article](http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9150501-worlds-biggest-bug-that-depends?chromedomain=worldblog) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/12 "2011-12-05T19:29:06Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > So insects is an acceptable way to describe a group of bugs that includes a spider? I’m curious because I’m going to be writing a book review (not of a technical book, but a children’s picture book) that includes a spider, among others, and I wasn’t quite sure how to talk about all the creatures without it looking like I thought spiders were insects. Creepy crawlies was the only thing I could come up with… To be really picky: [while all (true) bugs are insects, not all (true) insects are bugs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemiptera). > [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > _twitch_ _twitch_ _twitch_ > You are all pushing me closer to the edge of my sanity. > > Insects! Arachnids! Insects! Arachnids! I have sent someone over with a lifeline for you. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/13 "2011-12-05T20:30:52Z")
> [@saje](#): > > hey at least it wasn’t one of these: > > **caution, those with bug phobia should either sit down while opening this, or not open it at all** personally, i think it’s wicked cool and would love to see one in person 🆒 > > [_big_ bug!](http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/components/photo/_new/111201-coslog-insect-415p.photoblog900.jpg) > > [the full article](http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9150501-worlds-biggest-bug-that-depends?chromedomain=worldblog) awesome!!! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/14 "2011-12-06T01:18:45Z")
The beetle would have been relocated out of doors at Chez Opal. The spider would have either been left alone if he was in a safe place and not too in the way, or relocated to, say, the laundry room, where he could keep up his good work at eating bugs in the house. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/15 "2011-12-06T02:00:29Z")
Today at the gym we found a scorpion on the walking track. On the second floor. How the heck did he get up there? ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/16 "2011-12-06T08:11:09Z")
Awww check out the cute widdle [del][cazador](http://www.bugman123.com/Bugs/TarantulaHawk-large.jpg)[/del] Tarantula Hawk! ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/17 "2011-12-06T14:40:50Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > No, the OP correctly used the word. > > From Merriam-Webster: > > Definition of INSECT > 1a : _any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as **spiders** or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented — **not used technically** _ > b : any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings > 2: a trivial or contemptible person > > I’ll go out on a limb and say that the OP was not using the word in a technical sense. > > Sense 1b is typically used to describe “true insects.” Yeah… I _meant_ it that way! (I actually felt pretty stupid after hitting post and it dawned on me.) ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/18 "2011-12-06T14:44:05Z")
One scary thing about this whole episode is that it was the third spider with yellow body I have seen in a week. Well, I’m out sick from work today and will spend it sleeping on my couch. If I wake to find a large, yellow spider anywhere near me, then I will most certainly nuke this place. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-with-the-insects/605076/19 "2011-12-07T08:29:46Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > **No, the OP correctly used the word.** > > From Merriam-Webster: > > Definition of INSECT > \ > **2: a trivial or contemptible person** So, one of OP’s unbidden visitors had 6 legs and one was a trivial contemptible person. > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > So insects is an acceptable way to describe a group of bugs that includes a spider? I’m curious because **I’m going to be writing a book review (not of a technical book, but a children’s picture book) that includes a spider, among others,** and I wasn’t quite sure how to talk about all the creatures without it looking like I thought spiders were insects. Creepy crawlies was the only thing I could come up with… In keeping with the trend of children’s books being scientifically correct, why not just refer to the arachnid as an arachnid? That won’t go over any little kid’s head. With the popularity of Spiderman comics, _every_ little kiddie knows what an arachnid is!