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Armadillidium vulgare
Common pillbug
The classic British garden pillbug that rolls into a ball — hardy UK-room cleanup with a moisture gradient.
Temperate Mediterranean/European woodlouse widely naturalised in UK gardens (especially further south). Adults roughly 10–18 mm depending on line. Conglobates fully (true pill bug). Prefers airflow and a choice of damp vs drier microhabitats — not a permanently soggy sealed rainforest jar. Prefer captive-bred animals; wild-collected stock may carry pesticides or mites.
Diet: Leaf litter and white-rotted hardwood as staple; veg scraps sparingly; permanent calcium; occasional protein.
Care tips
- Build a clear wet–dry gradient (sphagnum pocket on one side, airier leaf litter on the other).
- Prioritise ventilation; stagnant wet boxes kill colonies faster than mild dryness.
- Deep organic substrate + generous leaf litter + cuttlebone always available.
- Room temperature is enough in heated UK homes; avoid sustained heat above about 26–28°C.
Cautions
- Constant high humidity without a dry zone invites mould and respiratory stress.
- Wild-collected animals may carry pesticides or mites — prefer captive-bred for enclosed cases.
- Larger adults need more floor space than nano jars allow.
- Poor fit for tiny sealed tropical bottles.