
Community identification
Pill bug (roly-poly, woodlouse)
Armadillidium vulgare
- Order & Family
- Isopoda (within Peracarida); family Armadillidiidae
- Size
- Typically 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long.
Natural Habitat
Moist, sheltered places such as leaf litter, soil, compost, under stones, and decaying wood; commonly found around buildings in damp areas.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivore feeding mainly on decaying leaves, wood, fungi, algae, and other organic debris; occasionally nibbles tender plant tissue.
Behavior Patterns
Mostly nocturnal and moisture-dependent. When threatened, it curls into a tight ball; females carry developing young in a brood pouch.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans and pets and does not bite or sting. It helps decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients, though large numbers may damage seedlings or enter damp buildings.