Woodlouse (specifically a Sowbug or Roly-poly)
Scientific Name: Porcellio scaber (typical European/Common woodlouse)
Order & Family: Order Isopoda, Family Porcellionidae (or Armadillidiidae for pill bugs)
Size: Typically 10-15 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark locations such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in basements with high humidity.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivore; feeds mainly on decaying organic matter, rotting wood, and fungi.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal to avoid moisture loss; many species roll into a ball (volvation) as a defense mechanism against predators. They are terrestrial crustaceans rather than true insects.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; no sting or bite. Benefits the ecosystem as a decomposer by recycling nutrients back into the soil, though they can occasionally damage young seedlings in greenhouses.
Identified on: 3/7/2026