The Garden Bug: Pillbugs

By Brenda Weaver

These creatures are not insects; they are actually tiny crustaceans that have adapted to living on land. They have gills, and are closely related to lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. They are usually less than 1/2 an inch long and are dark grey with seven pairs of legs. They can roll into a ball when disturbed, hence their common name "roly-polies." They are experts at converting decaying organic matter, so you can gently relocate them to your compost pile.

Source: missouribotanicalgarden.org
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