Which group includes ants, beetles, and butterflies?

Which group includes ants, beetles, and butterflies?

• A. Worms
• B. Spiders
• C. Insects
• D. Crabs

Answer: (C)

Understanding how animals are grouped by their body plans helps explain why ants, beetles, and butterflies belong together. They are all insects, a major subgroup of arthropods defined by a three-part body (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs, and one pair of antennae. Many insects also have wings, though some have lost them. These traits together set insects apart from the other options: worms lack a three-part body and six legs; spiders have eight legs and two body segments; crabs are crustaceans with different body organization. Because ants, beetles, and butterflies share the insect body plan and life-history traits, the correct group is insects.

Understanding how animals are grouped by their body plans helps explain why ants, beetles, and butterflies belong together. They are all insects, a major subgroup of arthropods defined by a three-part body (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs, and one pair of antennae. Many insects also have wings, though some have lost them. These traits together set insects apart from the other options: worms lack a three-part body and six legs; spiders have eight legs and two body segments; crabs are crustaceans with different body organization. Because ants, beetles, and butterflies share the insect body plan and life-history traits, the correct group is insects.