Which of the following is a characteristic of invertebrate pests?

Invertebrate pests are characterized by the absence of a backbone, which is a defining trait of invertebrates as a whole. This group includes a wide variety of organisms such as insects, arachnids, mollusks, and crustaceans, all of which play significant roles in ecosystems but can also become pests.

The lack of a backbone means these organisms have different structural and physiological characteristics compared to vertebrates, influencing their size, shape, and behavior. For example, many invertebrate pests reproduce rapidly, adapt quickly to new environments, and can develop resistance to pesticides, making them significant challenges in pest management. Understanding that invertebrates lack a backbone helps pest control professionals identify and manage these pests more effectively. The other options relate to characteristics that do not apply to invertebrate pests, making this feature the most relevant.