Pill Bug (also known as Roly-Poly)

Natural Habitat

Damp environments such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and in soil; they require moisture to breathe through gill-like structures.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivores that primarily eat decaying organic matter, rotting wood, and fungi; occasionally consume tender living plants.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and known for their ability to roll into a tight ball (conglobation) when threatened or to prevent moisture loss. They are terrestrial crustaceans rather than true insects.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans and beneficial to ecosystems as decomposers that recycle nutrients into the soil. They can occasionally become minor garden pests if they feed on young seedlings.

Identified on: 5/22/2026