
Community identification
Pillbug (woodlouse)
Likely *Armadillidium vulgare*
- Order & Family
- Isopoda; Armadillidiidae
- Size
- Usually 8–15 mm long.
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.