Pill Bug / Roly-poly
Armadillidium vulgare (common pill bug species, although many species exist within the family Armadillidiidae)
- Order & Family
- Order: Isopoda; Family: Armadillidiidae (for pill bugs that can roll into a ball). Other families exist for woodlice that cannot roll into a perfect ball.
- Size
- Typically 6 to 18 mm (0.24 to 0.71 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark environments such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, mulch, potted plants, and sometimes in basements or other moist areas of homes.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily decaying plant matter (detritus), fungi, and sometimes young plants or soft fruits. They play a role in decomposition.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal and prefer dark, damp places. When threatened, many species can roll into a tight ball, hence the name 'roly-poly'. They are detritivores, breaking down decaying organic matter. They reproduce sexually, and females carry eggs in a brood pouch (marsupium) on their underside.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Generally harmless to humans. Can sometimes damage young plant seedlings or soft fruits if other food sources are scarce, especially in large numbers. Benefits: Decomposers, they help break down organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. They are an important part of the food chain, serving as food for various predators.