ENT 202 Exam 3 Introduction to Entomology,
2026/2027 – 75-Question Entomological
Competency Examination
DOMAIN 1 – INSECT CLASSIFICATION & MAJOR ORDERS (Questions 1–
20)
Q1. Insects belong to which Phylum?
A) Mollusca
B) Annelida
C) Arthropoda
D) Chordata
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insects are part of the Phylum Arthropoda, which includes
animals with jointed appendages, segmented bodies, and exoskeletons.
Shared characteristics include chitinous exoskeletons and bilateral symmetry.
Q2. Which Subphylum contains the closest living relatives to
insects?
A) Chelicerata
B) Myriapoda
C) Crustacea
D) Onychophora
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insects' closest relatives are thought to be members of
Subphylum Crustacea. Both groups share common ancestry within the
arthropods, and recent molecular studies support a close evolutionary
relationship between insects and crustaceans.
Q3. Which of the following animals is in Subphylum Chelicerata?
A) Centipedes
B) Millipedes
C) Scorpions
D) Silverfish
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subphylum Chelicerata includes scorpions, spiders, mites, ticks,
,and horseshoe crabs. They are characterized by chelicerae (specialized
mouthparts) and lack antennae. Myriapods (centipedes/millipedes) are in a
separate subphylum.
Q4. Collembola are commonly known as:
A) Silverfish
B) Springtails
C) Water bears
D) Velvet worms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Springtails (Order Collembola) are small, wingless hexapods
known for their furcula, a tail-like appendage that allows them to jump. They
are not classified as true insects but are closely related.
Q5. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Class Insecta?
A) All insects have wings
B) Insects are distinguished by 3 body regions, 3 pairs of legs, and (usually)
wings
C) Insects have two pairs of antennae
D) Insects are the smallest class in Phylum Arthropoda
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Class Insecta is distinguished by three body regions (head,
thorax, abdomen), three pairs of legs, and wings (present in most but not
all species). Insects have one pair of antennae, not two.
Q6. Which Order contains silverfish and is characterized by
ametabolous development?
A) Odonata
B) Coleoptera
C) Zygentoma
D) Lepidoptera
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Order Zygentoma (formerly Thysanura) includes silverfish and
firebrats. These insects are ametabolous—they undergo no metamorphosis,
only increase in size with each molt, and are wingless.
Q7. Cockroaches belong to which Order?
A) Orthoptera
B) Blattodea
, C) Hemiptera
D) Dermaptera
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cockroaches and termites are in Order Blattodea. Previously,
termites were classified separately, but modern taxonomy places them
within Blattodea based on genetic and morphological evidence.
Q8. Termites are found in which Order?
A) Isoptera
B) Hymenoptera
C) Blattodea
D) Coleoptera
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Termites are now classified within Order Blattodea (along with
cockroaches). The former Order Isoptera has been reclassified as an
infraorder within Blattodea based on evolutionary relationships.
Q9. The Order name "Dermaptera" means:
A) Scale wings
B) Skin wings
C) Sheath wings
D) Half wings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dermaptera means "skin wings" (from Greek derma =
skin, ptera = wings). This refers to the leathery texture of the forewings
(tegmina). Earwigs are the primary members of this order.
Q10. What is the primary difference between dragonflies
(Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera)?
A) Dragonflies have clubbed antennae
B) Dragonflies hold wings out horizontally at rest; damselflies hold wings
over the abdomen
C) Damselflies are holometabolous
D) Dragonflies have no compound eyes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At rest, dragonflies hold their wings out horizontally,
while damselflies hold their wings folded over the abdomen. Dragonflies
also have wider-set eyes, while damselflies have eyes that are more
separated.
2026/2027 – 75-Question Entomological
Competency Examination
DOMAIN 1 – INSECT CLASSIFICATION & MAJOR ORDERS (Questions 1–
20)
Q1. Insects belong to which Phylum?
A) Mollusca
B) Annelida
C) Arthropoda
D) Chordata
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insects are part of the Phylum Arthropoda, which includes
animals with jointed appendages, segmented bodies, and exoskeletons.
Shared characteristics include chitinous exoskeletons and bilateral symmetry.
Q2. Which Subphylum contains the closest living relatives to
insects?
A) Chelicerata
B) Myriapoda
C) Crustacea
D) Onychophora
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insects' closest relatives are thought to be members of
Subphylum Crustacea. Both groups share common ancestry within the
arthropods, and recent molecular studies support a close evolutionary
relationship between insects and crustaceans.
Q3. Which of the following animals is in Subphylum Chelicerata?
A) Centipedes
B) Millipedes
C) Scorpions
D) Silverfish
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subphylum Chelicerata includes scorpions, spiders, mites, ticks,
,and horseshoe crabs. They are characterized by chelicerae (specialized
mouthparts) and lack antennae. Myriapods (centipedes/millipedes) are in a
separate subphylum.
Q4. Collembola are commonly known as:
A) Silverfish
B) Springtails
C) Water bears
D) Velvet worms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Springtails (Order Collembola) are small, wingless hexapods
known for their furcula, a tail-like appendage that allows them to jump. They
are not classified as true insects but are closely related.
Q5. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Class Insecta?
A) All insects have wings
B) Insects are distinguished by 3 body regions, 3 pairs of legs, and (usually)
wings
C) Insects have two pairs of antennae
D) Insects are the smallest class in Phylum Arthropoda
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Class Insecta is distinguished by three body regions (head,
thorax, abdomen), three pairs of legs, and wings (present in most but not
all species). Insects have one pair of antennae, not two.
Q6. Which Order contains silverfish and is characterized by
ametabolous development?
A) Odonata
B) Coleoptera
C) Zygentoma
D) Lepidoptera
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Order Zygentoma (formerly Thysanura) includes silverfish and
firebrats. These insects are ametabolous—they undergo no metamorphosis,
only increase in size with each molt, and are wingless.
Q7. Cockroaches belong to which Order?
A) Orthoptera
B) Blattodea
, C) Hemiptera
D) Dermaptera
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cockroaches and termites are in Order Blattodea. Previously,
termites were classified separately, but modern taxonomy places them
within Blattodea based on genetic and morphological evidence.
Q8. Termites are found in which Order?
A) Isoptera
B) Hymenoptera
C) Blattodea
D) Coleoptera
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Termites are now classified within Order Blattodea (along with
cockroaches). The former Order Isoptera has been reclassified as an
infraorder within Blattodea based on evolutionary relationships.
Q9. The Order name "Dermaptera" means:
A) Scale wings
B) Skin wings
C) Sheath wings
D) Half wings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dermaptera means "skin wings" (from Greek derma =
skin, ptera = wings). This refers to the leathery texture of the forewings
(tegmina). Earwigs are the primary members of this order.
Q10. What is the primary difference between dragonflies
(Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera)?
A) Dragonflies have clubbed antennae
B) Dragonflies hold wings out horizontally at rest; damselflies hold wings
over the abdomen
C) Damselflies are holometabolous
D) Dragonflies have no compound eyes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: At rest, dragonflies hold their wings out horizontally,
while damselflies hold their wings folded over the abdomen. Dragonflies
also have wider-set eyes, while damselflies have eyes that are more
separated.
