Cool! Also learned from another comment that the word “worm” is like “fish” in that it describes a variety of creatures that all look similar but are from different groups of animals.
The word “worm” is a bit like “fish” in that it doesn’t actually refere to any specific group of animals, but a many different groups of animals that look alike. It doesn’t have defined taxonomic meaning.
But there are some insects that are called worms colloquially, like mealworms.
Interesting, thanks for the fun fact! My kid is absolutely obsessed with learning all things about animals so I’m keeping stuff like this on deck for when he’s a little bit older and can understand. I’ve learned more about animals in the last year watching videos with him than all through school, which is equal parts sad and awesome.
I always thought they were. If not insects, what are they?
Annelids.
I always thought of them as molluscs
Til
Also correct, for example roundworms are molluscs.
Cool! Also learned from another comment that the word “worm” is like “fish” in that it describes a variety of creatures that all look similar but are from different groups of animals.
Til even more
Very interesting. Thanks for the link!
You betcha! Taxonomy is awesome!
The word “worm” is a bit like “fish” in that it doesn’t actually refere to any specific group of animals, but a many different groups of animals that look alike. It doesn’t have defined taxonomic meaning.
But there are some insects that are called worms colloquially, like mealworms.
I thought all insects have 6 legs, 2 antenna, and an exoskeleton, therefore worms like mealworms aren’t insects either.
Yes, the mealworm is the larval stage of the Darkling beetles.
Interesting, thanks for the fun fact! My kid is absolutely obsessed with learning all things about animals so I’m keeping stuff like this on deck for when he’s a little bit older and can understand. I’ve learned more about animals in the last year watching videos with him than all through school, which is equal parts sad and awesome.
A quick way to tell if something is an insect is if it has a head, a thorax, an abdomen, exactly 6 legs, and antennae
The 6 legs is usually the biggest giveaway, discounts millipedes, centipedes, worms, spiders, etc. from being insects
TIL I’m an insect