Bug Identifier
Woodlouse (pill bug/roly-poly)
Community identification

Woodlouse (pill bug/roly-poly)

Likely *Armadillidium vulgare*

Order & Family
Isopoda (order traditionally placed within Crustacea); family Armadillidiidae
Size
About 8–18 mm long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark places such as soil, leaf litter, under logs, stones, mulch, and damp structures. Often found near gardens and buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds mainly on decaying plant matter, fungi, algae, and organic debris, occasionally rasping soft living plant tissue.

Behavior Patterns

Mostly nocturnal and moisture-dependent; hides during the day to prevent drying out. This species can curl into a tight ball when disturbed and produces multiple young in a brood pouch.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to people, pets, and buildings; it does not bite or sting. It helps decompose organic material and recycle nutrients, though large numbers may damage seedlings or soft fruits.