Earlier this year, a Reddit user became famous for asking how to hide a tattoo. Luckily, people on Reddit convinced him to keep it because it was clearly one of the coolest tattoos ever. This sparked an interesting scientific question: Are shrimp actually bugs?
When we hear the word “bug,” we often think of any small creature that crawls or flies. However, in the world of biology, the term “bug” specifically refers to insects that belong to the order Hemiptera. These are the true bugs. But what about shrimp? Let’s explore how they compare to insects.
Even though shrimp are not insects, they share a lot of similarities with them. Both shrimp and insects have exoskeletons, which are hard outer shells made of a substance called chitin. They also have jointed and segmented limbs, which means their legs and bodies are divided into sections. Throughout their lives, both shrimp and insects shed their exoskeletons and grow new ones.
Another interesting similarity is how their bodies are structured. Like all arthropods, both shrimp and insects have bodies that are mirrored along the dorsal-ventral axis. This means their nerve cords run along their underside, while their main blood vessels are located along their back. This is quite different from humans and other vertebrates, where the nerve cord is on the back and the main blood vessels are on the front.
While shrimp and insects belong to different groups in the animal kingdom, they do share many biological features. In some ways, shrimp are more like bugs than they are like humans. So, even though shrimp aren’t technically bugs, they have a lot in common with them!
Did you know that both shrimp and insects are part of a larger group called arthropods? This group also includes creatures like crabs, lobsters, and spiders. Arthropods are known for their jointed legs and exoskeletons, making them one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth!
Draw a Venn diagram to compare and contrast shrimp and insects. Include at least three similarities and three differences. This will help you visualize how shrimp and insects are related and how they differ.
Research the material chitin and its role in the exoskeletons of shrimp and insects. Create a short presentation or poster that explains how chitin functions and why it is important for these creatures.
Work in groups to create a card game that helps you classify different arthropods, including shrimp and insects. Use pictures and facts to help identify each arthropod’s unique features.
Build a simple model of a shrimp and an insect using clay or other craft materials. Focus on illustrating their segmented bodies and jointed limbs. Label the main parts to show their similarities and differences.
Imagine a world where shrimp and insects could communicate. Write a short story about an adventure they have together, highlighting their similarities and differences. Share your story with the class.
Earlier this year, a Reddit user went viral for asking how to cover up a tattoo. Thankfully, Reddit convinced him to keep it, as it’s obviously one of the best tattoos ever. This raises an interesting scientific question: Are shrimp, in fact, bugs?
As a biologist, here’s my take: The term “bug” is often used to describe any small crawling or flying creature, but biologically speaking, the only true bugs belong to the insect order Hemiptera. That being said, shrimp share far more of their biology with insects than they do with humans.
Both bugs and shrimp have exoskeletons made of chitin, jointed segmented appendages, and they shed and grow new exoskeletons throughout their lives. Perhaps most importantly, like all arthropods, both insects and shrimp have bodies that are a mirror image of vertebrate bodies along the dorsal-ventral axis, with a nerve cord on their underside and their main blood vessels along their back.
So, while shrimp and insects are technically different taxonomic groups, shrimp are definitely more similar to bugs than to us—at least in some ways.
Shrimp – A small marine crustacean with an elongated body, typically used as food. – Shrimp have a hard exoskeleton that protects their soft bodies in the ocean.
Bugs – A general term for insects or other small arthropods. – Scientists study bugs to understand their role in ecosystems and their impact on agriculture.
Biology – The scientific study of life and living organisms. – In biology class, students learn about the different systems that make up the human body.
Insects – A class of arthropods with a three-part body, six legs, and usually wings. – Insects like bees are crucial for pollinating plants and supporting biodiversity.
Exoskeletons – A rigid external covering that provides support and protection to some invertebrates. – Crabs and lobsters have exoskeletons that they must shed as they grow larger.
Chitin – A fibrous substance forming the major component of the exoskeletons of arthropods. – The exoskeleton of a beetle is made of chitin, which gives it strength and flexibility.
Arthropods – A large group of invertebrates that includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. – Arthropods are characterized by their jointed limbs and segmented bodies.
Similarities – Qualities or features that are alike between two or more things. – There are many similarities between ants and termites, such as their social structures and habitats.
Segmented – Divided into separate parts or sections. – The segmented body of an earthworm allows it to move efficiently through soil.
Limbs – Appendages used for movement or manipulation, such as legs or wings. – The limbs of a grasshopper are adapted for jumping and rapid movement.
