General Description

Body oval shape with shiny, grey segments. Head with a pair of eyes. Pair of legs on each of the first seven body segments. Up to 2 cm long.

Biology

Pillbugs roll into a tight ball when disturbed. Although Australia has numerous native species, often the most familiar in Australia are those introduced from Europe. Pillbugs prefer damp environments, such as under stones and bark. They mostly feed on decaying vegetation but also eat fungi. Females brood eggs in a brood pouch below their body from which live young emerge. They are one of the few terrestrial crustaceans.

Distribution

Europe, North America. Mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Under pots or garden plants, occasionally wandering in the open in areas with calcareous soils.

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