Bug Identifier
Pillbug (woodlouse)
Community identification

Pillbug (woodlouse)

Likely *Armadillidium vulgare*

Order & Family
Isopoda; Armadillidiidae
Size
Usually 8–15 mm long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, sheltered places such as beneath logs, stones, leaf litter, and decaying wood; commonly found around buildings and gardens.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds mainly on decaying plant material, fungi, algae, and organic debris, occasionally rasping soft plant tissue.

Behavior Patterns

Mostly nocturnal and moisture-dependent, hiding during daylight to prevent drying out. When disturbed, it can curl into a tight ball; females carry developing young in a brood pouch.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets, and it does not bite or sting. It helps decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients, though large numbers may damage seedlings or soft fruits.