No, spiders are not insects. They belong to a different group of arthropods called arachnids. While insects and arachnids share similarities, such as having exoskeletons and jointed legs, there are several key differences between them.

Here are some characteristics that distinguish spiders from insects:

1. Body Structure: Spiders have two main body parts: the cephalothorax (consisting of the head and thorax fused together) and the abdomen. In contrast, insects have three distinct body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen.

2. Legs: Spiders have eight legs, while insects typically have six legs.

3. Antennae: Insects often have antennae, which spiders lack.

4. Wings: Most insects have wings at some stage of their life cycle, while spiders do not possess wings.

5. Silk Production: Spiders have specialized silk glands that allow them to produce silk for various purposes, such as building webs or creating egg sacs. Insects do not produce silk in the same way.

6. Feeding Habits: Spiders are carnivorous and primarily feed on other small animals, including insects. Insects, on the other hand, have a wide range of feeding habits, including herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous diets.

These are just a few of the distinctions between spiders and insects.