''Armadillidium'' () is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of the small

terrestrial Terrestrial refers to things related to land or the planet Earth. Terrestrial may also refer to: * Terrestrial animal, an animal that lives on land opposed to living in water, or sometimes an animal that lives on or near the ground, as opposed to ...

crustacean Crustaceans (Crustacea, ) form a large, diverse arthropod taxon which includes such animals as decapods, seed shrimp, branchiopods, fish lice, krill, remipedes, isopods, barnacles, copepods, amphipods and mantis shrimp. The crustacean group ...

known as the

woodlouse A woodlouse (plural woodlice) is an isopod crustacean from the polyphyleticThe current consensus is that Oniscidea is actually triphyletic suborder Oniscidea within the order Isopoda. They get their name from often being found in old wood. ...

. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with

pill millipede Pill millipedes are any members of two living (and one extinct) orders of millipedes, often grouped together into a single superorder, Oniscomorpha. The name Oniscomorpha refers to the millipedes' resemblance to certain woodlice (Oniscidea), also ...

s such as ''

Glomeris marginata ''Glomeris marginata'' is a common European species of pill millipede. It is a short millipede, rounded in cross-section, which is capable of rolling itself up into a ball ("volvation") when disturbed. This behaviour is also found in the pill woo ...

''. They are characterised by their ability to roll into a ball ("

volvation Volvation (from Latin ''volvere'' "roll", and the suffix ''-(a)tion''; sometimes called enrollment or conglobation), is a defensive behavior in certain animals, in which the animal rolls its own body into a ball, presenting only the hardest parts ...

") when disturbed.

Distribution and habitat

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. ''

Armadillidium vulgare ''Armadillidium vulgare'', the common pill-bug, potato bug, common pill woodlouse, roly-poly, slater, doodle bug, or carpenter, is a widespread European species of woodlouse. It is the most extensively investigated terrestrial isopod species. ...

'' is the most abundant species in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

and has been introduced worldwide. However, the vast majority of species are endemic to small regions close to the

Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ea ...

, in much lower numbers than common species such as ''A. vulgare'', and hence are understudied.

Description

Unlike other terrestrial

arthropod Arthropods (, (gen. ποδός)) are invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton, a Segmentation (biology), segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods form the phylum Arthropoda. They are distinguished by their jointed limbs and Arth ...

s such as insects and spiders, pill bugs do not have a waxy cuticle that would reduce evaporation from their bodies. Pill bugs also use modified lungs, called pseudotrachea, for respiration, and the lungs must remain moist to function. Individual pill bugs typically live for two or three years, and females brood eggs once or twice each summer. Several hundred eggs are brooded at a time in the marsupium, a pocket on the ventral side of the female pill bug. The marsupium must also be kept filled with water until the young hatch and crawl away. The colouration especially of young '' A. klugii'' resembles the red hourglass marking of the Mediterranean black widow ''

Latrodectus tredecimguttatus ''Latrodectus tredecimguttatus'', also known as the Mediterranean black widow, or the European black widow, is a species in the genus ''Latrodectus'' of the widow spiders. It is commonly found throughout the Mediterranean region, ranging from ...

''. This is probably a kind of

mimicry In evolutionary biology, mimicry is an evolved resemblance between an organism and another object, often an organism of another species. Mimicry may evolve between different species, or between individuals of the same species. Often, mimicry f ...

, to ward off predators that mistake the harmless animal for a venomous spider.Revision of the Armadillidium klugii-group (Isopoda: Oniscidea)
/ref>

Species

File:The British Woodlice 68.png, '' Armadillidium depressum'' File:A-granulatum (Alvesgaspar) PD-original D dorsal.jpg, ''

Armadillidium granulatum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' File:Armadillidium lagrecai crop.tif, ''

Armadillidium lagrecai ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' File:Armadillidium-pictum-07-VIII-2007-01.jpg, '' Armadillidium pictum'' File:The British Woodlice 67.png, ''

Armadillidium pulchellum ''Armadillidium pulchellum'' is a species of crustaceans belonging to the family Armadillidiidae. It is native to Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical siz ...

'' File:Armadillidium vulgare 001.jpg, ''

'' File:Armadillidium nasatum 01.jpg, ''

Armadillidium nasatum ''Armadillidium nasatum'' is a large, Western European-based species of woodlouse that has been introduced to North America, along with ''Armadillidium vulgare'' also found in other parts of Europe. Description ''Armadillidium nasatum'' can ...

'' File:Isópodo (Armadillidium opacum), Hartelholz, Múnich, Alemania, 2020-06-28, DD 640-678 FS.jpg, Macro shot of an '' Armadillidium opacum'' There are 189 recognised species in the genus ''Armadillidium'': * '' Armadillidium absoloni'' Strouhal, 1939 * '' Armadillidium aegaeum'' Strouhal, 1929 * '' Armadillidium aelleni'' Caruso & Ferrara, 1982 * ''

Armadillidium alassiense ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Verhoeff, 1910 * ''

Armadillidium albigauni ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Arcangeli, 1935 * ''

Armadillidium albomarginatum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Verhoeff, 1901 * ''

Armadillidium album ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Dollfus, 1887 * ''

Armadillidium ameglioi ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Arcangeli, 1914 * ''

Armadillidium amicorum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Rodríguez & Vicente, 1993 * '' Armadillidium anconanum'' Verhoeff, 1928 * '' Armadillidium apenninigenum'' Verhoeff, 1936 * ''

Armadillidium apenninorum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Verhoeff, 1928 * '' Armadillidium apfelbecki'' Dollfus, 1895 * '' Armadillidium apuanum'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1995 * '' Armadillidium arcadicum'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium arcangelii'' Strouhal, 1929 * '' Armadillidium argentarium'' Verhoeff, 1931 * '' Armadillidium argolicum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium artense'' Strouhal, 1956 * ''

Armadillidium assimile ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial animal, terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused ...

'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium atticum'' Strouhal, 1929 * '' Armadillidium azerbaidzhanum'' Schmalfuss, 1990 * '' Armadillidium badium'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium baldense'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium banaticum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium beieri'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium bensei'' Schmalfuss, 2006 * '' Armadillidium bicurvatum'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium bosniense'' Strouhal, 1939 * '' Armadillidium boukorninense'' Hamaied, Charfi-Cheikhrouha & Lombardo, 2018 * '' Armadillidium brentanum'' Verhoeff, 1931 * '' Armadillidium bulgaricum'' Frankenberger, 1941 * '' Armadillidium calabricum'' Verhoeff, 1908 * '' Armadillidium canaliferum'' Verhoeff, 1908 * '' Armadillidium capreae'' Verhoeff, 1944 * '' Armadillidium carniolense'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium carynthiacum'' Verhoeff, 1939 * '' Armadillidium cavannai'' Arcangeli, 1960 * '' Armadillidium cephalonicum'' Strouhal, 1929 * '' Armadillidium chazaliei'' Dollfus, 1896 * ''

Armadillidium clausi ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial animal, terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused ...

'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium clavigerum'' Verhoeff, 1928 * '' Armadillidium corcyraeum'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium cruzi'' Garcia, 2003 * '' Armadillidium cythereium'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium dalmaticum'' Strouhal, 1939 * '' Armadillidium decorum'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium delattini'' Verhoeff, 1943 * '' Armadillidium depressum'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium djebalensis'' Vandel, 1958 * '' Armadillidium dollfusi'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium elysii'' Verhoeff, 1936 * '' Armadillidium epiroticum'' Strouhal, 1956 * '' Armadillidium espanyoli'' Cruz, 1990 * '' Armadillidium esterelanum'' Dollfus, 1887 * '' Armadillidium etruriae'' Ferrara & Taiti, 1978 * '' Armadillidium euxinum'' Verhoeff, 1929 * '' Armadillidium fallax'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium ficalbii'' Arcangeli, 1911 * '' Armadillidium flavoscutatum'' Strouhal, 1927 * ''

Armadillidium fossuligerum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Verhoeff, 1902 * ''

Armadillidium frontemarginatum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Strouhal, 1927 * '' Armadillidium frontetriangulum'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium furcatum'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium galiciense'' Schmölzer, 1955 * ''

Armadillidium germanicum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial animal, terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused ...

'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium gestroi'' Tua, 1900 * '' Armadillidium ghardalamensis'' Caruso & Hili, 1991 * '' Armadillidium gionum'' Schmalfuss, 2012 * ''

'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium grimmi'' Schmalfuss, 2006 * '' Armadillidium hauseni'' Schmalfuss, 1985 * '' Armadillidium herzegowinense'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium hessei'' Verhoeff, 1930 * '' Armadillidium hirtum'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium humectum'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium ichkeuli'' Hamaied & Charfi-Cheikhrouha, 2017 * '' Armadillidium insulanum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium irmengardis'' Strouhal, 1956 * '' Armadillidium janinense'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium jaqueti'' Dollfus, 1897 * '' Armadillidium jerrentrupi'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium jonicum'' Strouhal, 1927 * '' Armadillidium justi'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium kalamatense'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium kalamium'' Strouhal, 1956 * '' Armadillidium klaptoczi'' Verhoeff, 1908 * ''

Armadillidium klugii ''Armadillidium klugii'' is a lesser-known, rare Balkan, Dalmatia-based species of woodlouse, most distinguished by its colouration which resembles the red markings of the Mediterranean black widow ''Latrodectus tredecimguttatus''. This is probab ...

'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium kochi'' Dollfus, 1887 * '' Armadillidium kossuthi'' Arcangeli, 1929 * '' Armadillidium kuehnelti'' Schmalfuss, 2006 * '' Armadillidium laconicum'' Strouhal, 1938 * ''

'' Vandel, 1969 * '' Armadillidium laminigerum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium lanzai'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1996 * '' Armadillidium littorale'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1996 * '' Armadillidium lobocurvum'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium lymberakisi'' Schmalfuss, Paragamian & Sfenthourakis, 2004 * '' Armadillidium maccagnoae'' Arcangeli, 1960 * ''

Armadillidium maculatum ''Armadillidium maculatum'', also known as the zebra isopod or zebra pillbug is an ''Armadillidium'' species of woodlouse, named for its black and white patterns. It is native to southern France. Description ''Armadillidium maculatum'' is ave ...

'' Risso, 1816 * '' Armadillidium maniatum'' Schmalfuss, 2006 * ''

Armadillidium mareoticum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium marinense'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium marinensium'' Verhoeff, 1928 * '' Armadillidium marmoratum'' Strouhal, 1929 * '' Armadillidium marmorivagum'' Verhoeff, 1934 * '' Armadillidium mateui'' Vandel, 1953 * '' Armadillidium messenicum'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium meteorense'' Schmalfuss, 2012 * '' Armadillidium mohamedanicum'' Verhoeff, 1929 * '' Armadillidium nahumi'' Garcia, 2020 * ''

Armadillidium narentanum ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial animal, terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused ...

'' Verhoeff, 1907 * ''

'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium niger'' Kortshagin, 1887 * '' Armadillidium nigrum'' Arcangeli, 1956 * '' Armadillidium obenbergi'' Frankenberger, 1941 * '' Armadillidium odhneri'' Verhoeff, 1930 * '' Armadillidium oglasae'' Ferrara & Taiti, 1978 * '' Armadillidium omblae'' Verhoeff, 1900 * '' Armadillidium opacum'' (C. Koch, 1841) * '' Armadillidium ormeanum'' Verhoeff, 1931 * '' Armadillidium paeninsulae'' Ferrara & Taiti, 1978 * '' Armadillidium pallasii'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium pallidum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium pangaionum'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium panningi'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium pardoi'' Vandel, 1956 * '' Armadillidium pelionense'' Strouhal, 1928 * '' Armadillidium peloponnesiacum'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium peraccae'' Tua, 1900 * '' Armadillidium petralonense'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium phalacronum'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium pictum'' Brandt, 1833 * '' Armadillidium pieperi'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium pilosellum'' Dollfus, 1896 * '' Armadillidium ponalense'' Verhoeff, 1934 * '' Armadillidium portofinense'' Verhoeff, 1908 * ''

Armadillidium pretusi ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Cruz, 1990 * '' Armadillidium pseudassimile'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1980 * ''

Armadillidium pseudovulgare ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipede ...

'' Verhoeff, 1902 * ''

'' (Zenker, 1798) * '' Armadillidium quinquepustulatum'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium rhodopinum'' Verhoeff, 1936 * '' Armadillidium rojanum'' Verhoeff, 1936 * '' Armadillidium rosai'' Arcangeli, 1913 * '' Armadillidium ruffoi'' Arcangeli, 1940 * '' Armadillidium rupium'' Verhoeff, 1928 * '' Armadillidium sanctum'' Dollfus, 1892 * '' Armadillidium savonense'' Verhoeff, 1931 * '' Armadillidium saxivagum'' Verhoeff, 1901 * '' Armadillidium scaberrimum'' Stein, 1859 * '' Armadillidium scabrum'' Dollfus, 1892 * '' Armadillidium schmalfussi'' Caruso & Lombardo, 1982 * '' Armadillidium serrai'' Cruz & Dalens, 1990 * '' Armadillidium serratum'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium sfenthourakisi'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium siculorum'' Verhoeff, 1908 * ''

Armadillidium silvestrii ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Verhoeff, 1931 * '' Armadillidium simile'' Strouhal, 1937 * ''

Armadillidium simoni ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipede ...

'' Dollfus, 1887 * '' Armadillidium sordidum'' Dollfus, 1887 * '' Armadillidium stagnoense'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium steindachneri'' Strouhal, 1927 * '' Armadillidium stolikanum'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium storkani'' Frankenberger, 1941 * '' Armadillidium strinatii'' Vandel, 1961 * ''

Armadillidium stymphalicum ''Armadillidium stymphalicum'' is a European species of woodlouse endemic to Greece. Taxonomy ''Armadilliidum stymphalicum'' was described in 2006, based on specimens that were collected as far back as 1960. It belongs to the "Marginiferae" se ...

'' Schmalfuss, 2006 * '' Armadillidium sulcatum'' Milne-Edwards, 1840 * '' Armadillidium tabacarui'' Gruia, Iavorschi & Sarbu, 1994 * ''

Armadillidium teramense ''Armadillidium teramense'' is a European species of woodlouse endemic to Italy. It belongs to the "Orthotrigoniae" section of the genus and is currently known only from the type series. Taxonomy ''Armadilliidum teramense'' was described as a di ...

'' Verhoeff, 1933 * '' Armadillidium tigris'' Budde-Lund, 1885 * '' Armadillidium tirolense'' Verhoeff, 1901 * ''

Armadillidium torchiai ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1996 * '' Armadillidium traiani'' Demianowicz, 1932 * '' Armadillidium tripolitzense'' Verhoeff, 1902 * '' Armadillidium tuberculatum'' Schmalfuss, 2008 * '' Armadillidium tunisiense'' Hamaïed & Charfi-Cheikhrouha, 2007 * '' Armadillidium tyrrhenum'' Taiti & Ferrara, 1980 * '' Armadillidium vallombrosae'' Verhoeff, 1907 * '' Armadillidium valonae'' Arcangeli, 1952 * '' Armadillidium verhoeffi'' Rogenhofer, 1915 * '' Armadillidium versicolor'' Stein, 1859 * ''

Armadillidium versluysi ''Armadillidium'' () is a genus of the small terrestrial crustacean known as the woodlouse. ''Armadillidium'' are also commonly known as pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, or potato bugs, and are often confused with pill millipedes ...

'' Strouhal, 1937 * '' Armadillidium virgo'' Caruso & Bouchon, 2011 * ''

'' (Latreille, 1804) * '' Armadillidium werneri'' Strouhal, 1927 * '' Armadillidium xerovunense'' Strouhal, 1956 * '' Armadillidium zangherii'' Arcangeli, 1923 * '' Armadillidium zenckeri'' Brandt, 1833

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q640213 Woodlice Isopod genera Taxa named by Johann Friedrich von Brandt

Distribution and habitat

Description

Species

See also

References