Have a question about keeping Armadillidium vulgare? This is the pill bug that curls into a ball. Here are the answers I would want close at hand while setting up and checking a colony.
What is Armadillidium vulgare?
It is a terrestrial isopod: a crustacean, not an insect. The common name “roly poly” usually points to its ability to roll up when disturbed. Sowbugs such as Porcellio scaber are related, but they do not form the same tight ball. If your class or project calls for a particular species, check the scientific name before ordering.
Where do pill bugs spend their time?
Look under leaf litter, stones, and other cover in cool, moist places. In a habitat, give them places to hide and a moisture source. You may see them retreat under cover when the exposed surface becomes too dry or bright. Their hiding behavior is useful to observe; it is not a reason to keep the whole enclosure soaked.
How moist should the habitat be?
Keep some substrate damp without turning it into standing water, and use a covered container with ventilation. Check the habitat itself and adjust the water you add as conditions change. A daily misting rule cannot account for differences in ventilation, room conditions, and substrate. Carolina Biological Supply’s terrestrial-isopod care guide describes moist, not saturated, substrate and regular checks.
What do they eat?
Decaying leaves and other plant material are the foundation of a simple culture. You can offer small amounts of suitable vegetables, then remove uneaten food before it molds. The right amount depends on the animals and the colony, so start small and observe what remains. Avoid material that may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
What temperature should I use?
Keep the enclosure away from direct sun, overheating, freezing, and sudden extremes. Ordinary indoor conditions are a more practical starting point than a claimed universal survival range. Check the moisture and activity of the animals rather than assuming a single temperature number guarantees their welfare.
When will they reproduce, and how long will they live?
Females carry developing young in a brood pouch, but an individual colony’s timing depends on its animals and conditions. Do not plan a lesson around an exact breeding date or promise a particular lifespan. If you need animals for a scheduled lab, order the count you need rather than relying on a new colony to multiply by then.
What should I do before ordering?
Have the enclosure and a caretaker ready. Our first-colony setup and arrival checklist covers receiving the animals and the days after delivery. For a class, use the classroom count guide. You can compare the current live isopod listings or contact Ficarro Farms about a larger or date-sensitive requirement. Please do not release purchased animals outdoors.
Care references: Carolina Biological Supply, Care Guide: Terrestrial Isopods; University of California IPM, Pillbugs and Sowbugs. These general guides do not establish the condition of any individual colony.