What are sowbugs and pillbugs more closely related to?

Study for the South Carolina General and Structural Pest Control 7A Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Sowbugs and pillbugs are more closely related to crustaceans because they belong to the class Malacostraca, which is the largest class of crustaceans. This classification includes animals such as crabs, shrimp, and lobsters. Although sowbugs and pillbugs are often mistaken for insects due to their segmented bodies and multiple legs, they are actually terrestrial crustaceans. They possess characteristics typical of crustaceans, including a hard exoskeleton and gills for respiration (even though they are adapted for life on land, they require moist environments to breathe through their gills). Understanding their classification helps clarify their biological and ecological roles, distinguishing them from true insects, amphibians, or reptiles, which belong to different taxa entirely.

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