Massachusetts Pesticide License Practice Exam

The presence of wings is not a universal characteristic of arthropods. While many arthropods, such as insects, do have wings, there are numerous species, including arachnids (like spiders and scorpions), crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters), and many others that do not possess wings at all. Therefore, saying that the presence of wings is a characteristic of arthropods is misleading, as it applies only to certain groups within this diverse phylum.

In contrast, a jointed body, the ability to molt at intervals, and a hard body covering are fundamental features of arthropods. All arthropods have segmented bodies with jointed appendages, they undergo a process called molting (ecdysis) to grow, and they are typically covered by an exoskeleton made of chitin, which provides support and protection. These characteristics are essential for defining the arthropod phylum.