Pillbugs Size: 3/4"Shape: OvalColor: Dark brown to blackLegs: 7 pairWings: No Antenna: Yes

Common Name: Pill Bug

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Malacostraca

Order: Isopoda (which means “the legs are

alike.”)

Family: Armadillidiidae

Species: Armadillilium vulgare

Information sources: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArmadillidiidaeThe Woodland Park Zoo fact sheet:

http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=511

Classification:Although their common names contain the word “bug,” sowbugs and pillbugs are not really bugs. They’re crustaceans, mostly aquatic invertebrates, such as the crab, lobster, crayfish and barnacle. Crustaceans breathe through gills, and have a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages.

Range:Sowbugs and pillbugs are found in most regions of the world, and are widespread throughout North America.

Habitat:Moist micro-climates, including damp, dark spaces and wooded areas. Prime habitats are under stones or in decaying wood. In cities, they frequent gardens, along house foundations and basements.

Diet In the wild: Predominately vegetarian, but considered omnivorous, feeding on fungi and live or decaying vegetation and animals. During periods of drought, sowbugs and pillbugs are capable of switching to a scavenger-like diet.

Additional facts…

Life SpanAverage about 2 years, but can live up to 5 years.

Importance of Water:Although they don’t live in water, sowbugs and pillbugs are still highly dependent on water for survival. They need to stay moist to survive, so they actively scavenge for food only in the cool of the night. To prevent dehydration during the day, they seek dark, moist areas to hide and rest. Sowbugs and pillbugs often gather in groups, huddling together to reduce evaporation. Some even burrow into the ground to keep their gills wet. Gills are the primary breathing apparatus for all crustaceans, and must remain moist in order to function

Pest or pal…Sowbugs and pillbugs are often considered pests in greenhouses because they nibble at the roots of stems and seedlings.

However, sowbugs and pillbugs are valuable arthropods because they provide food for other animals.

As scavengers, they also play a critical role in maintaining the health of their environment. They return nutrients to the soil when they eat decaying matter and then defecate.

In gardens, they benefit humans by circulating soil without eating garden plants.