Why do some arthropods have hairr?

Question

I thought only animals have hair, or is the furry stuff found on flies, spiders, bees, and etc just a different form of keratin?

Answer 1

It's a parallel to mammalian hair and serves various purposes.  For example, it can make you look bigger to potential rivals and enemies, and even make you more difficult to swallow.  It can also provide protection against abrasion.  And then it can serve as a sensory detection organ.

I'll have to pass on its composition.  I don't happen to know that.

Answer 2

They're called sensilla, they are both mechano and chemoreceptors. Insects, such as the house fly, rely on these hairs to pick up scent molecules to help them locate their next meal.

Answer 3

You got some great answers on why insects have hairy processes on their exoskeleton.

All I can add is that the insect exoskeleton is made up of chitin, not keratin..

Answer 4

They also help with the detection of vibrations.

It is also a defense mechanism for many species of tarantula, they are known as urticating hairs. The tarantula literally throws them at their enemy.