Fear Of Arthropods Questionnaire

Does the thought or sight of an insect send chills down your spine? Take this test to find out if you have 'entomophobia.'

By Scott Travers, Ph.D. | August 07, 2024

Arthropods are a diverse group of invertebrates that include insects, arachnids (such as spiders and scorpions), myriapods (such as centipedes and millipedes) and crustaceans (such as crabs and lobsters). Most arthropods are insects, and they make up a significant portion of the animal kingdom—with millions of species identified and many more yet to be discovered.

These creatures are characterized by their exoskeleton, segmented bodies and jointed appendages. While some arthropods—like butterflies and ladybugs—are often appreciated for their beauty and ecological roles, others—such as spiders and cockroaches—can evoke fear and discomfort.

Insects play crucial roles in ecosystems—including pollination, decomposition and serving as a food source for other animals. Negative attitudes and fear towards insects can lead to avoidance or even harm towards these beneficial creatures, which can disrupt ecological balance. Knowing your level of fear of insects—or "entomophobia"—can help in improving your ability to coexist with these essential organisms.

The Fear of Arthropods Scale (FAS) is a valuable tool for measuring an individual's fear and attitudes towards insects. By assessing various dimensions of fear, such as emotional reactions and avoidance behaviors, the FAS can provide insights into the severity of your discomfort. This information can be beneficial for those hoping to understand and manage their fears, which is ultimately the first step in overcoming it.

You can take this test here. Follow all of the steps to receive your results.

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much you agree with them on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree.

1. If I saw an insect now, I would be afraid of it.

2. I would do anything to try to avoid an insect.

3. I think that allergic reactions to insects are common.

4. If I saw an insect now, I would think it would attack me.

5. If I saw an insect now, I would feel very panicky.

6. If I saw an insect now, I would think it would try to jump on me.

7. I am afraid of the pain associated with an insect bite/sting.

8. I am afraid of the numerous bites/stings of an insect.

9. I think that a bite/sting of an insect is likely when it sits on me.

10. If I came across an insect now, I would run away.

11. I would have great difficulties in staying calm if an insect was around.

12. I would be very afraid of a great number of insect nests.

13. I get nervous when someone says that an insect is around.

14. I am very afraid of an allergic reaction to an insect bite/sting.

15. If I heard the sound of an insect, I would feel very panicky.

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores to people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Biological Research Scientist, Scott Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.

References: Münstedt, K. & Mühlhans, K. (2013). Fears, phobias and disgust related to bees and other arthropods. Advanced Studies in Medical Sciences, 1. 125-142. doi: 10.12988/asms.2013.13011