Pill Bugs and Sow Bugs
Contents at a Glance
My Favorite Bug
Summer afternoons and bug circuses.
Pillbugs
The pill bug is a small, segmented isopod that can curl up in to a ball for protection. These are types of arthropods, or crustaceans, not insects or true bugs.
Pill bugs are commonly found in many areas around the world. They prefer moist soil or rotting vegetation, living in the soil and under decaying leaves, rocks, and dead logs.
A pill bug is born from an egg, looking almost like a tiny adult. As it grows, it molts (sheds its old, outgrown exoskeleton) 4 to 5 times.
Pill Bugs are protected by a hard exoskeleton with three basic divisions, the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. They have 7 pairs of legs.
Pill bugs are omnivorous, eating plants and decayed animals.
Books To Enjoy
A Roly Poly by Any Other Name
Pill Bugs are also known as Wood Lice, Potato Bugs, or Doodlebugs.
Let's Play With BUGS!!!!
Up Close
Looking closer you can see the crustacean traits.

Pill Bug or Pillbug Feeds on Forest L...
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Starring Tuck and Roll - "YOU FIRED!"
The Pillbugs Stole The Show!
Links For You To Explore!
Great Stuff For School Reports

Pillbug Feeding on Detritus
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- Pill Bug Fact Sheet
- An informative page from University of Arizona Insect Science Education.
- Pill Bug Printouts
- The Enchanted Learning module on Pill Bugs.
Who Doesn't Love a Pillbug?
Share Your Fond Childhood Memories of Roly Polies!
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- RealFox RealFox Aug 14, 2009 @ 6:07 am
- I have always loved the little boogers. I am now 38 years old and still play with them on occasion. I always watch where I walk in the mornings when I leave my home so not to step on them. There are usually 3-4 hundred of them running, sitting, and eating around my front porch every morning. In fact, it is 7:06 am right now. I am about to go check on them as soon as I finish this blurb. :)
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- Ecolicious Ecolicious Jul 1, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
- My kids love pill bugs. I will need to show them this lens.
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- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Oct 26, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
- Neat lens. All the little critters do their job in nature. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens links to the appropriate plexos and vote for them.
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- Webcodes Webcodes Oct 9, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
- Fun fun lens. 5*. Much better than ants.. these guys won't come to your house and bother you.
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- mulberry mulberry Aug 12, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
- I did know much about these but I'm certainly familiar with them! Good information.
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