Arthropods
KNOWN SPECIES
1,136,583
48.20% of our world's living things that are arthropods
CHARACTERISTICS
- animals without a backbone (invertebrates)
- they have armor-like covering
- they have bodies split into segments with jointed legs or mouthparts
SIZE RANGE
microscopic to 13 feet (about 0.1 millimeter to 4 meters)
WHERE THEY LIVE
on land and in fresh water and oceans
Here are just SOME of the world’s arthropods:
![Sticker about size](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropods_size_sticker/5943347-2-eng-US/arthropods_size_sticker_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropods_size_sticker/5943347-2-eng-US/arthropods_size_sticker_full_990.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropods_size_sticker/5943347-2-eng-US/arthropods_size_sticker_full_1468.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropods_size_sticker/5943347-2-eng-US/arthropods_size_sticker_full_1980.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropods_size_sticker/5943347-2-eng-US/arthropods_size_sticker_full_2475.png 600w)
leafcutter
ant
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Atta cephalotes
![Ant holding leaf](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_leafcutter_ant/5941492-1-eng-US/arthropod_leafcutter_ant_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_leafcutter_ant/5941492-1-eng-US/arthropod_leafcutter_ant_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_leafcutter_ant/5941492-1-eng-US/arthropod_leafcutter_ant_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_leafcutter_ant/5941492-1-eng-US/arthropod_leafcutter_ant_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_leafcutter_ant/5941492-1-eng-US/arthropod_leafcutter_ant_full_2475.png 2000w)
Mediterranean fruit fly
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Ceratitis capitata
![Multicolor insect with wings](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly/5941496-1-eng-US/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly/5941496-1-eng-US/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly/5941496-1-eng-US/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly/5941496-1-eng-US/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly_full_1980.png 1800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly/5941496-1-eng-US/arthropod_mediterrannean_fruit_fly_full_2475.png 1800w)
Varroa
mite
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Varroa jacobsoni
![Round bug](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_varroa_mite/5941524-1-eng-US/arthropod_varroa_mite_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_varroa_mite/5941524-1-eng-US/arthropod_varroa_mite_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_varroa_mite/5941524-1-eng-US/arthropod_varroa_mite_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_varroa_mite/5941524-1-eng-US/arthropod_varroa_mite_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_varroa_mite/5941524-1-eng-US/arthropod_varroa_mite_full_2475.png 1200w)
Asian multicolored
ladybird beetle
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Harmona axyridis
![red beetle with black spots](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle/5941484-1-eng-US/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle/5941484-1-eng-US/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle/5941484-1-eng-US/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle/5941484-1-eng-US/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle_full_1980.png 1600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle/5941484-1-eng-US/arthropod_asian_multicolored_ladybird_beetle_full_2475.png 1600w)
yellow fever
mosquito
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Aedes aegypti
![Flying insect with long legs and mouth](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito/5941532-1-eng-US/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito/5941532-1-eng-US/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito/5941532-1-eng-US/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito/5941532-1-eng-US/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito_full_1980.png 1800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito/5941532-1-eng-US/arthropod_yellow_fever_mosquito_full_2475.png 1800w)
owl butterfly
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Caligo atreus
![tiger-striped insect with wings](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_owl_butterfly/5941508-1-eng-US/arthropod_owl_butterfly_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_owl_butterfly/5941508-1-eng-US/arthropod_owl_butterfly_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_owl_butterfly/5941508-1-eng-US/arthropod_owl_butterfly_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_owl_butterfly/5941508-1-eng-US/arthropod_owl_butterfly_full_1980.png 1840w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_owl_butterfly/5941508-1-eng-US/arthropod_owl_butterfly_full_2475.png 1840w)
Formosan subterranean
termite
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Coptotermes formosanus
![Elongated insect](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite/5941488-3-eng-US/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite/5941488-3-eng-US/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite_full_990.png 570w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite/5941488-3-eng-US/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite_full_1468.png 570w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite/5941488-3-eng-US/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite_full_1980.png 570w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite/5941488-3-eng-US/arthropod_formosa_subterranean_termite_full_2475.png 570w)
Sally lightfoot crab
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Grapsus grapsus
![Red crab](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab/5941516-1-eng-US/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab/5941516-1-eng-US/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab/5941516-1-eng-US/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab/5941516-1-eng-US/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab/5941516-1-eng-US/arthropod_sally_lightfoot_crab_full_2475.png 2400w)
pseudoscorpion
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Dactylochelifer latreilli
![stout insect with long forearms](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_pseudoscorpion/5941512-2-eng-US/arthropod_pseudoscorpion_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_pseudoscorpion/5941512-2-eng-US/arthropod_pseudoscorpion_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_pseudoscorpion/5941512-2-eng-US/arthropod_pseudoscorpion_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_pseudoscorpion/5941512-2-eng-US/arthropod_pseudoscorpion_full_1980.png 1701w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_pseudoscorpion/5941512-2-eng-US/arthropod_pseudoscorpion_full_2475.png 1701w)
Mexican redknee tarantula
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Brachypelma smithii
![Insect with eight legs with orange knees](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula/5941500-2-eng-US/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula/5941500-2-eng-US/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula/5941500-2-eng-US/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula/5941500-2-eng-US/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula/5941500-2-eng-US/arthropod_mexican_redknee_tarantula_full_2475.png 2200w)
mustached mud bee
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Anthophora abrupta
![Fuzzy black and yellow bug](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee/5941504-1-eng-US/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee/5941504-1-eng-US/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee/5941504-1-eng-US/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee/5941504-1-eng-US/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee_full_1980.png 1500w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee/5941504-1-eng-US/arthropod_mustached_mud_bee_full_2475.png 1500w)
ten-spot skimmer
dragonfly
SCIENTIFC NAME:
Libellula pulchella
![Flying insect with shiny wings](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly/5941520-1-eng-US/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly/5941520-1-eng-US/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly/5941520-1-eng-US/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly/5941520-1-eng-US/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly_full_1980.png 1800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly/5941520-1-eng-US/arthropod_ten_spot_skimmer_dragonfly_full_2475.png 1800w)
white-tailed spider
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Lampona cylindrata
![Slender spider with long legs and white end](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_white_tailed_spider/5941528-1-eng-US/arthropod_white_tailed_spider_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_white_tailed_spider/5941528-1-eng-US/arthropod_white_tailed_spider_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_white_tailed_spider/5941528-1-eng-US/arthropod_white_tailed_spider_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_white_tailed_spider/5941528-1-eng-US/arthropod_white_tailed_spider_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/arthropods/arthropod_white_tailed_spider/5941528-1-eng-US/arthropod_white_tailed_spider_full_2475.png 2200w)
Guess what?
Creepy, crawly, and beautiful, arthropods are by far the largest group of animals on Earth! Almost a third of all known species are beetles.
Image Credits:
Asian multicolored ladybird beetle, Formosan subterranean termite, Mediterranean fruit fly, mustached mud bee, Varroa mite, Courtesy of Scott Bauer, Agricultural Research Service; leafcutter ant, © Pjt56/CC BY 4.0; Mexican redknee tarantula, Sally lightfoot crab, ten-spot skimmer dragonfly, Gerald and Buff Corsi/© California Academy of Sciences; owl butterfly, © AMNH; pseudoscorpion, Courtesy of Carol Tingley, NC State Parks; yellow fever mosquito, Courtesy of Agricultural Research Service; white-tailed spider, © Steve Kerr/CC BY 4.0.