Common Pill Bug

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

Decomposer (detritivore) that primarily eats decaying organic matter, such as rotting leaves, wood, and occasionally tender plant parts.

Behavior Patterns

Known for 'conglobation' (rolling into a tight ball when threatened). They are nocturnal and gregarious, often found in groups to conserve moisture. Mothers carry eggs in a fluid-filled pouch called a marsupium.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; they do not bite or sting. They provide significant ecological benefits by nutrient cycling and soil aeration, though they can occasionally damage young seedlings in gardens.

Identified on: 6/11/2026