Armadillidium vulgare

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Malacostraca

Order: Isopoda

Family: Armadillidiidae

Genus: Armadillidium

Species: A. vulgare

Common name

potato bugs, pill bugs, rolly pollies.

Range

Armadillidium vulgare are originally from southern Europe and North Africa, but they can be found over the world if the temperature is not severe.

Habitat

Armadillidium vulgare loves moisture. The most common place which they can be found is damp soil under stones or flowerpots in your garden. Spring and autumn are good seasons to find them.

Description

There are two pairs of antennae. One of the pairs is really hard to see because the first antennae are vestigial which mean no longer used. Pill bugs have two compounds eyes, one pair of maxilliped (mouth parts), and seven pairs of legs. Males have the genital projections. The lungs are located in the first pleopod.

Distinguish Characteristic

This species is very common in under rocksand rotting wood. Their first pair of the antennae is obscure and their expods are aretruncated.

Behavior

Armadillidium vulgarelive in family groups. The male and female gather food for the family. Usually, the male protects the family. In spring, the young make their own family group within 10 to 100m of the original family’s burrow.

When they are stimulated, they immediately roll up their body and will be almost perfect global shape. This is the most common habit of Armadillidium vulgare. The habit is excellent defense from their predators such as centipedes, spiders and birds because all sensitive organs can be protected.

Diet

Armadillidium vulgare feed on fungi, fallen leaves, or dead animals.

Reproduction

Armadillidium vulgare usually mate once a year in spring. They reproduce offspring on land not in water. After the eggs are fertilized, the eggs develop in a brood pouch filled with fluid. The young stay a few days in the brood pouch after hatching. When they fully develop, they are released into the soil. About three weeks later, the young are a light tan color and about two to three mm long.

Molting

Their style of molting is biphasic molting, which means the posterior region molts before the anterior region. After pill bugs finish molting, they eat their empty shell to gain the calcium.

Life span

It is about two to three years.

Importance

Armadillidium vulgare are known as soil decomposers which browse biogenic residue and waste matter. They fertilize and aerate soil which aids plant respiration and growth.