Bug Identifier
Woodlouse
Community identification

Woodlouse

Porcellio scaber

Order & Family
Isopoda, Porcellionidae
Size
3 to 20 millimeters long
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark environments like under rocks, rotting wood, and occasionally indoor bathrooms or basements.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivore feeding primarily on decaying plant matter, fungi, and occasionally dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and active in humid conditions. They breathe through modified structures resembling gills and roll into a ball when threatened.

Risks & Benefits

Completely harmless to humans, do not bite or transmit disease, and benefit ecosystems by recycling organic matter.