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

Woodlouse (specifically a Pill Bug or Sowbug)

Armadillidium vulgare

Order & Family
Order: Isopoda; Family: Armadillidiidae
Size
Approximately 1/4 to 5/8 inches (8.5 to 18 mm) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark environments such as leaf litter, under rocks, rotting wood, and damp basements.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivore; primarily eats decaying organic matter, rotting wood, and dead plant material.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; they breathe through gill-like structures and must stay moist to survive. Many species can roll into a tight ball (conglobate) when threatened.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; does not bite or sting. Benefit ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil.