Bug Identifier
Woodlouse (specifically Common Woodlouse)
Community identification

Woodlouse (specifically Common Woodlouse)

Oniscus asellus

Order & Family
Order Isopoda; Family Oniscidae
Size
Up to 16 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark environments such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and occasionally damp indoor basements.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivore; eats decaying organic matter, fungi, and rotting vegetation.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal; they require moisture to breathe through gill-like structures and will congregate in damp areas to avoid dehydration.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; they benefit the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.