Pill bugs, also known as sowbugs or woodlice, are small, harmless creatures often found in gardens and damp environments. They belong to the crustacean family, which means they are related to crabs and shrimp, but they’ve adapted to living on land. These fascinating creatures play an essential role in breaking down organic matter, turning decaying materials into valuable nutrients for soil and plants.
These tiny creatures have a unique appearance, characterized by their armored, segmented body and seven pairs of legs. They are nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active during the nighttime. Pill bugs don’t bite or spread diseases, making them safe to have around your garden. In fact, they can be a natural solution for breaking down waste materials and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
While pill bugs are generally considered beneficial to the environment, they can sometimes become a nuisance to homeowners, especially when they find their way into the house. To keep them out, make sure to eliminate any damp and decaying materials both inside and outside the home, and seal any cracks or openings that could provide entry.
Pill Bug Basics
Physical Characteristics
Pill bugs are small, usually brown or gray, crustaceans. Their body is divided into segments, with a hard exoskeleton covering their thorax. They have:
- Seven pairs of legs
- Two antennae
- A pair of tail-like appendages
When threatened, pill bugs can roll into a ball to protect themselves.
Species and Distribution
There are numerous species of pill bugs, and they can be found in various environments around the world. Some common species include:
- Armadillidium vulgare
- Armadillidium nasatum
- Porcellio scaber
Pill bugs are predominantly found in damp areas, such as under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They can be found in most regions but prefer temperate climates.
| Feature | Armadillidium vulgare | Porcellio scaber |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Gray | Brown |
| Habitat | Damp areas | Damp areas |
| Distribution | Widespread | Widespread |
In summary, pill bugs are small crustaceans with various distinguishing features. They exist in multiple species and can be found in different locations worldwide, primarily in damp environments.
Habitat and Behavior
Natural Environment
Pill bugs, also known as armadillo bugs, roly-polies, and woodlice, are typically found in moist environments. They thrive in areas with high humidity, like soil, leaf litter, and under debris. These small crustaceans are related to lobsters and originate from the Mediterranean region. A few examples of common pill bug habitats include:
- Compost piles
- Underneath rocks
- Foundation of buildings
- Decaying wood
- Forest floors, under leaves
Being nocturnal creatures, pill bugs are more active during the nighttime.
Diet and Feeding
Pill bugs primarily feed on:
- Organic matter
- Dead plant material
- Decaying leaves
- Fungi
As detritivores, they play a critical role in breaking down organic materials, contributing to nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.
Pill Bug Habitat vs Diet
| Habitat | Diet |
|---|---|
| Soil | Organic matter |
| Leaf litter | Dead plant material |
| Compost piles | Decaying leaves |
| Foundation of buildings | Fungi |
Role in the Ecosystem
Benefits to Gardens
Pill bugs play a crucial role in maintaining the health of garden ecosystems. They help with:
- Controlling pests: Pill bugs consume decaying plant matter, which reduces the habitat for harmful insects or pests.
- Aerating soil: As these insects burrow through the soil, they help to loosen it and improve its structure, aiding plant growth.
- Recycling nutrients: Pill bugs break down rotting vegetation, releasing essential nutrients back into the soil.
Decomposition Process
Pill bugs are primarily known for their role in the decomposition process. Here’s a brief overview of their actions:
- Feeding: They feed on decaying vegetation, which can include plant matter, bark, fungi, and mulch.
- Digestion: In the process, they break down these materials and absorb nutrients.
- Excretion: Pill bugs excrete nutrient-rich waste, which helps enhance soil fertility.
| Activity | Pill Bugs | Other Decomposers (e.g., Earthworms) |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding on plant matter | Consume decaying vegetation, bark, fungi, mulch | Consume decaying plant matter, organic matter in soil |
| Impact on soil | Aerate soil, improve structure | Aerate, improve soil structure, mix organic and inorganic components |
| Role in nutrient cycling | Break down rotting vegetation, release nutrients into soil | Break down organic matter, create nutrient-rich humus in soil |
Keep in mind that while pill bugs offer essential benefits to the ecosystem, they might occasionally munch on vegetables or tender young plants. Monitoring your garden and using preventative measures like creating a barrier or providing alternative food sources (e.g., decaying leaves or compost) can reduce their impact on living plants.
Pill Bugs as Pests
Damage to Gardens
Pill bugs, also known as roly-polies or sowbugs, are small arthropods that feed on decaying organic matter. Their presence in a garden can indicate moist, fertile soil, which benefits many plants. However, these creatures can also cause damage when populations grow too large. In some cases, they may feed on young seedlings, tender roots, and ripening fruits. High numbers of pill bugs in a garden may lead to:
- Holes in delicate plant structures
- Stunted plant growth
- Mold growth due to excessive moisture
Pest Control Methods
Preventing a pill bug infestation is the best approach to protecting your garden. Some effective strategies include:
- Reducing moisture by watering plants early in the day, allowing the soil to dry before evening (source)
- Removing decaying matter from the garden area and keeping compost and mulch away from plants
- Encouraging natural predators, such as centipedes, to live in your garden space
If you already have a pill bug infestation in your garden, you may need to consider more direct control methods. These can include:
- Using diatomaceous earth, a natural powder that kills pill bugs by damaging their exoskeleton
- Applying insecticides, but use caution as these can also harm beneficial insects in the garden
| Pest control method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Diatomaceous Earth | Natural, safe for humans and pets | Less effective in moist areas, may need reapplication |
| Insecticides | Effective in killing pill bugs | Can also harm beneficial insects, may not be eco-friendly |
When dealing with a severe infestation, it may be worth consulting a pest control professional. They can help identify the best course of action for your particular situation and ensure the pill bug population is effectively managed.
In summary, pill bugs can cause damage to gardens when present in large numbers, but proper moisture management and pest control methods can minimize their impact.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
Unique Defensive Strategies
Pill bugs, also known as roly-poly, armadillo bugs, or isopods, have a fascinating defensive mechanism. They curl into a tight ball when threatened. This not only protects their soft internal organs but also makes them less attractive to predators. Here is a comparison of their defenses with North American spiders and toads:
| Organism | Defensive Strategy |
|---|---|
| Pill Bug | Curl into a ball |
| North American Spider | Sting or bite |
| Toad | Excrete toxins |
Relationship with Other Organisms
Pill bugs are an essential part of their environment. They have a symbiotic relationship with a variety of organisms, including:
- Decomposers: Pill bugs help break down organic matter like cardboard and dead plant material, making them important decomposers in their ecosystems.
- Prey: They serve as a food source for various predators, such as spiders and toads.
- Mother-child bond: Female pill bugs take care of their young by carrying them in a pouch, similar to marsupial mammals.
Additionally, pill bugs engage in coprophagy, which means they eat their feces. This behavior allows them to recycle nutrients and minerals, like copper, which are essential for their survival. As a result, they play a critical role in maintaining the health of their habitats.
In summary, these land crustaceans have fascinating behaviors and interactions with other organisms. Pill bugs are not only unique in their defensive strategies but also crucial in maintaining the balance of their environment, whether it’s from nibbling on carrots to engaging in coprophagy.
24 Comments. Leave new
ummm, i’ve been doing research or pill and sow bugs latly and the reason that pillbug was blue was that it was sick not molting.
I just observed this behavior on the concrete steps outside the backdoor after a night steady light rain in northern St. Louis. They appear to be Trachelipus rathkei. Their antennae were not obvious (they have them tucked under?) and the curled under section with the pleon’s appeared to be the antennae so I was thinking this was an attack because the heads were fighting. Now that I understand what the pleon’s are it’s obviously mating. My two look nearly identical with the smaller darker shelled crustacean on top of a more mottled brown larger crustacean.
I can tell you the process is not quick. They have been at it for 15 minutes so far. The female is moving forward and backwards in an attempt to get away. While not actually trying to throw the male off when she walks away more quickly he will sometime lose his grip a bit and then will aggressively curl under her and manipulate with his pleons and rear legs to lift her posterior off the ground.
They are under a glass container to limit their range for she is eagerly trying to move along. I’ll reply with the final time of completion.
I just observed this behavior on the concrete steps outside the backdoor after a night steady light rain in northern St. Louis. They appear to be Trachelipus rathkei. Their antennae were not obvious (they have them tucked under?) and the curled under section with the pleon’s appeared to be the antennae so I was thinking this was an attack because the heads were fighting. Now that I understand what the pleon’s are it’s obviously mating. My two look nearly identical with the smaller darker shelled crustacean on top of a more mottled brown larger crustacean.
I can tell you the process is not quick. They have been at it for 15 minutes so far. The female is moving forward and backwards in an attempt to get away. While not actually trying to throw the male off when she walks away more quickly he will sometime lose his grip a bit and then will aggressively curl under her and manipulate with his pleons and rear legs to lift her posterior off the ground.
They are under a glass container to limit their range for she is eagerly trying to move along. I’ll reply with the final time of completion.
We wish you could send some photos to accompany your vivid description.
Well, the male was at it for at least 45 minutes and upon the next check-up the proved that they are powerful enough to raise up a clear quart Tubbaerware container and escape.
I have found some of these in my compost pile….will that taint the dirt. Or is it ok to use with these bugs init
We haven’t the necessary skills to answer that question, but we will try to do some research.
I really like this post. I think woodlice are amazing creatures, but a bit slow to notice they are in no danger. My question is: Is it okay for chickens to eat this bug? I love chickens and have 10. Will it affect their eggs? Will it kill them? Or will they just be okay? Please get back to me A.S.A.P., I really want to know.
P.S. I don’t think the pill bugs will affect soil.
You might want to check with folks who raise chickens. Not many predators will eat Pill Bugs, and we are not certain of the reason. We will attempt additional research into your question.
I really like this post. I think woodlice are amazing creatures, but a bit slow to notice they are in no danger. My question is: Is it okay for chickens to eat this bug? I love chickens and have 10. Will it affect their eggs? Will it kill them? Or will they just be okay? Please get back to me A.S.A.P., I really want to know.
P.S. I don’t think the pill bugs will affect soil.
Yesterday, I created a timelapse that featured a pair of mating pill bugs (not sure the species — Vista, CA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c55rLz_cME4
Thanks for the time lapse video.
That’s what I witnessed under my porch.
So it’s not mating but some kind of male dominance of his preferred female?
Could that happen with two males or females?
The bug underneath is missing an antenna.
I can’t tell if the bug above is feeding during the time on top.
This maybe a method to pass beneficial bacteria between members although it seems that they may eat droppings.
Thanks for the time lapse video.
That’s what I witnessed under my porch.
So it’s not mating but some kind of male dominance of his preferred female?
Could that happen with two males or females?
The bug underneath is missing an antenna.
I can’t tell if the bug above is feeding during the time on top.
This maybe a method to pass beneficial bacteria between members although it seems that they may eat droppings.
I know this may not be a comment related to pill bug mating but I just witnessed a pill bug or sow bug litghin up after dark it appears to be emitting a low to medium whitish light what are they doing when that happens ?
Apparently these pillbugs turn pink when you cook them as they are related to shrimp. I have them everywhere when I rake back the partially composted white and red oak leaves during the summer here in Raleigh, Nc. ( I’m moving to Uruguay, not there yet, by the way). I have heard such great things about eating bugs…the protein content, as well as lack of impact on the environment. Just a matter of the “weird” factor…..Just have to take that first step and actually try them. I have also heard that in taste tests, people liked them BETTER than shrimp. Might be neat to try!
We know nothing about the edible factor of Pill Bugs, but Eat The Weeds and Eat The Planet both promote them as flavorful and healthy. David Gracer frequently comments on edible insects to our site. Based on our research, we will tag this posting with Edible Insects and we hope David Gracer can provide some personal account.
When pill bugs r blue they are unhealthy because their blood is blue.
Hi everyone, I’m sorry to inform you pillbug doesn’t mate in this way.. mostly for this specie able to roll in ball. Here they are having antennae contacts. The reproductive behavior is easily recognizable since male are placed on one side of the females and then on the other side. The reason is simple: females have two genital openings on the ventral side and males have two penises. So mating occurs in two stages on either side of the female. If the male is above as shown in the picture, it cannot reach the openings of the females.
Good continuation to all!
Hi everyone, I’m sorry to inform you pillbug doesn’t mate in this way.. mostly for this specie able to roll in ball. Here they are having antennae contacts. The reproductive behavior is easily recognizable since male are placed on one side of the females and then on the other side. The reason is simple: females have two genital openings on the ventral side and males have two penises. So mating occurs in two stages on either side of the female. If the male is above as shown in the picture, it cannot reach the openings of the females.
Good continuation to all!
Thanks for that interesting explanation.
Hey how do pill bugs actually mate though? Can I get a picture?
I just saw a pill bug crawl on top of another. The bottom one immediately rolled up while the other moved around on top for over 5 minutes (my toddler got bored so we left). Was this an attack? Sorry no pictures!
This is mate guarding behavior. For some time after mating, males will sit on top of/crawl over females for protection.
thanks for this clarification.