How do mites differ from insects?

Mites are distinct members of the arachnid family, which includes spiders, scorpions, and ticks. One of the key characteristics that differentiate mites from insects is leg morphology. Mites typically possess eight legs, which is consistent with their classification alongside other arachnids.

In contrast, insects have six legs, a defining feature of their classification. It is also important to note that while mites may sometimes appear to have fewer legs during certain life stages, such as larvae which have only six, they still ultimately belong to a category where adults will typically possess eight legs. This delineation is crucial for understanding the fundamental anatomical differences between these two types of arthropods.

The other options do not accurately represent the core differences between mites and insects. For example, distinct body segments are characteristic of insects, while the body of mites tends to be more rounded and lacks such clear segmentation. Additionally, mites are indeed relatives of spiders, as they both fall under the arachnid class. Mites do not have more body parts than insects either; insects typically have three main body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen, whereas mites have a more simplified body structure often described as having two main parts due to a cephalothorax