Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

Which arthropod groups are known to produce silk?

1. Only spiders and caterpillars

2. Spiders, caterpillars, booklice, lacewings, some beetle larvae, and fleas

3. Only insects from the Lepidoptera order

4. Only beetles and fleas

The correct answer is: Spiders, caterpillars, booklice, lacewings, some beetle larvae, and fleas

The correct answer identifies a variety of arthropod groups known to produce silk, emphasizing the diversity among these organisms. Spiders are well-known for spinning silk webs used for trapping prey, building shelters, and creating egg sacs. Caterpillars, the larval stage of moths and butterflies (members of the Lepidoptera order), also produce silk, which they use for various purposes such as constructing cocoons for metamorphosis. Additionally, other members of the arthropod community contribute to silk production. Booklice and lacewings create silk for protective purposes, and certain beetle larvae can produce silk as well, typically used in making shelters or for pupation. Fleas have also been observed producing silk, albeit less commonly than the aforementioned groups, and it may serve various functional purposes in their lifecycle. This broad inclusivity of arthropods highlights the versatility and evolutionary significance of silk production in different environments and life stages. A narrower focus, such as only considering spiders and caterpillars, would overlook the remarkable capabilities of other species and their ecological roles.