What group does not classify as an insect?

Sowbugs, also known as pillbugs or roly-polies, belong to a group of crustaceans, specifically in the order Isopoda, and are not classified as insects. They are terrestrial crustaceans that have adapted to living on land, but they differ significantly from insects, which are hexapods belonging to the class Insecta. While insects have three main body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), three pairs of legs, and usually one or two pairs of wings, sowbugs do not share these characteristics.

Centipedes, ants, and mites all fall under the broader classification of arthropods. Centipedes are classified as myriapods, which are multi-legged creatures, while ants are insects characterized by their three body segments and six legs. Mites are arachnids, which means they belong to a different class within the arthropods but are still classified under the larger group of invertebrates. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why sowbugs do not fit into the category of insects, highlighting their unique traits and biological classification.