Woodlouse (specifically a Pill Bug or Sowbug)
Scientific Name: Armadillidiidae / Oniscidea
Order & Family: Order Isopoda, Family Armadillidiidae or Porcellionidae
Size: 3 to 18 millimeters (0.12 to 0.71 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark places such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and occasionally in basements or bathrooms.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivore; primarily consumes decaying plant matter, fungi, and occasionally living plant roots in very moist conditions.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and moisture-seeking. Many species (pill bugs) can roll into a ball (volvation) for protection. They breathe through gill-like structures and must stay in high-humidity environments to survive.
Risks & Benefits
Non-toxic and harmless to humans and pets. They are beneficial decomposers that help cycle nutrients in the soil, though they can occasionally damage young seedlings in gardens if populations are high.
Identified on: 6/25/2026