Difference between insects and bugs

Insects and bugs are often used interchangeably in everyday life, but scientifically and taxonomically, there is a clear difference.

 

Insects (Insecta)

 • Insects are animals that belong to the 'Insecta' class in taxonomy.

 • The body is divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and has six legs (three pairs).

 • Most have wings (usually one to two pairs), antennae, and compound eyes.

 • Representative examples: butterflies, flies, beetles, grasshoppers, ants, etc.

 

  • 'Insects' is a broad term that includes various lower animals (small, multi-legged invertebrates) including insects, parasites, spiders, centipedes, and earthworms.

 • Non-insect arthropods (spiders, civets, etc.) and molluscs (earthworms, etc.) can also be called bugs.

 • In everyday life, all small and repulsive animals are called bugs.

 

Additional explanation

• Insects are a type of bug, but not all bugs are insects.

• In scientific and educational contexts, it is better to distinguish between 'insects', 'arachnids', and 'squirrels'.

"Insects are a general term for lower animals such as insects and parasites, and insects are a general term for animals belonging to the insect class."

 

In this way, insects and bugs have different inclusion relationships and classification criteria, so it is better to use the terms differently according to the situation.