Table of Contents
What are sowbugs habitat?
Sowbugs and pillbugs live in damp habitats where they feed on decaying vegetable matter. Outdoors, these scavengers are found under dead leaves, rocks, boards, grass clippings, flower-bed mulch and other objects on damp ground.
What role do pill bugs play in the environment?
Pillbugs and other terrestrial isopods are detritivores, eating dead organic material (mostly plants), as well as the bacteria and fungi growing on it. They play an initial role in nutrient cycling, breaking down organic matter for bacteria and fungi to finish decomposing.
How do Rolly Pollies help the environment?
Roly-poly bugs are decomposers. They digest waste like scat as well as decaying matter from dead plants and animals, and then return the essential nutrients back into the soil. Because roly-polies are sensitive to changes in the environment, they also serve as biological indicators for the health of ecosystems.
What is the scientific name for sowbugs?
Oniscidea
Woodlouse/Scientific names
Where are sowbugs found?
Sowbugs and pillbugs live their lives in moist environments. Common places for them to live would be under mulch, compost, stones, flowerpots and other places on damp ground. Some places the creatures may explore would be damp basements and first floor levels and garages.
What do sowbugs and pillbugs do for food?
Sowbugs and pillbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Sowbugs and pillbugs thrive only in areas of high moisture, and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day.
What kind of body does a sowbug have?
Their oval, segmented bodies are convex above but flat or concave underneath. They possess seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae (only one pair of antennae is readily visible). Sowbugs also have two tail-like appendages which project out from the rear end of the body.
What’s the difference between Pill bugs and sow bugs?
People often confuse pill bugs and sow bugs, but, to protect their soft undersides when disturbed or to keep their gills from drying out, pill bugs can roll into a ball with their legs tucked inside; sowbugs cannot do this. Sow bugs have oval bodies when viewed from above.
Why are there sow bugs in my greenhouse?
— Greenhouses built on a concrete slab poured directly on the ground can have more of a problem with sow bugs or pill bugs if there is no moisture barrier under the concrete. — Make sure doors are weatherstripped.