Armadillidium
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(Redirected from Pill bug)
| iArmadillidium | ||||||||||||||||
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| Image:Armadillidium vulgare 001.jpg Armadillidium vulgare
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| about 200 species |
Armadillidium is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. Armadillidium are also commonly known as "pill woodlice", "pill bugs" and "roly-polies". They are characterised by their ability to roll into a ball when disturbed. They typically feed on moss, algae, bark and other decaying organic matter. They are usually found in moist areas such as decomposing leaf matter and soil.
The colouration especially of young A. klugii resembles the red hourglass marking of the Mediterranean black widow Latrodectus tredecimguttatus. This is probably a kind of mimicry, to ward off predators that mistake the harmless animal for a venomous spider.
[edit] Gallery
Armadillidium vulgare |
Armadillidium vulgare incompletely rolled-up |
