Armadillidium vulgare

Also commonly referred to as the Common Pill bug, Sowbugs (even though this is an incorrect classification), Roly-Polies and even Wood Lice. They are members of the Isopods, not to be confused with an insect[1]. They belong to the family Armadillidiidae and are found almost everywhere and are soil/ground dwelling isopods. These isopods can easily be spotted, as they roll into a ball to protect themselves. Pill bugs can reach over 10,000 individuals per square meter which converts to 900 individuals per square foot[2]. There are 4,000 different species of Armadillidium vulgare and are none are considered dangerous. Pill bugs do not bite, sting, or carry any diseases. They do not lay their eggs indoors. However, they may damage the roots of plants when feeding[3].

Taxonomy

  Kingdom: Animalia 
     Subphylum: Crustacea
        Class: Malacostraca 
           Order: Isopoda
              Family: Armadillidiidae
                 Genus: Armadillidium
                    Species: vulgaris

Armadillidium vulgare with a zoom up close

Description

Pill bugs have a type of hard armor/shell, that is similar to that of an armadillo. This hard armor is used to protect the isopod from any danger. It is plate like and allows for a quick and full protection when they roll into the ball. These little guys are between 1/4 and 5/8 inches long and have seven pairs of legs and 2 pairs of antennae. They are most commonly found to be a light grey, but also have been seen in many colors. Some examples being brown, black, yellow and on rare occasions a deep red color[4]. They are special in the fact they have an extreme patience when their threatened, spending hours inside of their ball until they feel safe to emerge[1]. On the scale of speed they are considered slow movers, which is why they are so defensive with their outer shell. Their main source of food is decaying leaves and roots of some plants.

Habitat

Found all over the world, Pill bugs are quite lenient with this habitat choice. Usually found within the ground and leaf litter, they cant find their homes below any type of forest or grass soil. They feed on roots while underground, which is the only time they are considered harmful. Flip over any type of rock or fallen tree and you'll more than likely find tens to hundreds of Pill bugs. They require a humid and dark habitat and are mainly nocturnal animals[5].

Life Cycle

Eggs: Eggs are carried in a pouch by the mother on the underside of her body. The eggs can reach a diameter of 0.7 mm. After three to four weeks the eggs will start to hatch. Females may produce up to three broods every year and each brood is composed of 100-200 eggs.

Larva: The newborns continue in the pouch on their mother for an additional one to two weeks and grow up to 2 mm in length before they are let off on their own. While in the pouch, they feed on fluid generated from the mother called marsupial fluid[6]. Once on their own the very next day the larva undergo their first molt. A few weeks later the second molt takes place and this allows for the seventh pair of legs to be created. Once the second molt take place, Pill bugs repeat the molting every two weeks for the next 18-20 weeks[6].

Adult: Once all the molting is done, the Pill bug is now an adult. This is when it will reach its maximum length and develop one pair of antennae and a pair of antennules. These are used to help sense their surroundings and environment. As an adult, they have compound eyes on both sides of their head. Usually, they are made up of seven different segments and then an abdomen. Seven pairs of legs are on an adult. One pair for each segment. You can tell the difference between the males and females once at adulthood. Females have a pouch on the underside, whereas males have copulatory organs in that same location. The expected lifespan for an Armadillidium vulgare is anywhere from two to five years[6].

Ecosystem Importance

A study was conducted on the effects of the behavior of Pill bugs on decomposing dead plant material in a hardwood forest in Florida. The Pill bugs’ foraging had a positive impact on the ecosystem, shown by nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium being increased inside the soil. Increased pH, and higher amounts of carbon eliminated from fallen leaves was also reported just from these isopods[7].