Bug Identifier
Woodlouse (specifically the Common Pill Bug)
Community identification

Woodlouse (specifically the Common Pill Bug)

Armadillidium vulgare

Order & Family
Order Isopoda, Family Armadillidiidae
Size
Up to 18 mm (approx. 0.7 inches) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist terrestrial environments such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and in gardens/soil.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily detritivorous, feeding on decaying plant matter, fungi, and sometimes live plant seedlings.

Behavior Patterns

Night-active and slow-moving; notable for its ability to roll into a tight ball (conglobation) when threatened or to prevent dehydration.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; beneficial to the ecosystem as decomposers that recycle nutrients and help clean soil of heavy metals like lead and cadmium.