Woodlouse (specifically looks like an Oniscius asellus or Porcellio scaber)
Scientific Name: Oniscidea (Suborder)
Order & Family: Order: Isopoda; Family: Porcellionidae or Oniscidae
Size: Typically 10 mm to 18 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark places such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and compost heaps. They require moisture to breathe.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivores; they feed primarily on decaying organic matter like rotting wood, leaves, and fungi.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and seek shelter during the day to avoid dehydration. Some species curl into a ball (specifically Armadillidiidae, though the one in the image appears to be the flat, non-rolling variety) when threatened.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Essential decomposers that recycle nutrients back into the soil. Risks: Generally harmless to humans and structures, though can be a nuisance if they enter damp areas of homes in large numbers.
Identified on: 2/10/2026