Bug Identifier
Woodlouse (specifically a Pill Bug or Sowbug)
Community identification

Woodlouse (specifically a Pill Bug or Sowbug)

Armadillidiidae / Oniscidea

Order & Family
Order Isopoda, Family Armadillidiidae or Porcellionidae
Size
3 to 18 millimeters (0.12 to 0.71 inches) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.