pillbug
Armored garden crawler
A pillbug is a small crustacean that lives on land, typically found under rocks, logs, and leaf litter.
Despite appearances, it's not an insect but related to shrimp and crabs.
When disturbed, it curls into a tight ball—hence the name.
Also called a roly-poly or woodlouse.
The kids spent the afternoon collecting pillbugs from under the porch.
External skeletal structure
- segmentedDivided into sections
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- jointedHaving flexible connections
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
carapace · crustacean · isopod · woodlouse · sowbug · invertebrate · terrestrial · gills
Forming curved shapes
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- roly-polyPlump and round
- armorProtective combat covering
- protectiveServing to guard
shielded · encased · withdrawal · retraction · contraction · tucking · rolled · spherical
Plump and round
- curiosityDesire to learn
- harmlessCausing no injury
- gentleSoft and kind
- petDomesticated household companion
terrarium · backyard · discovery · nature play · observation · handling · collecting · fascination
Ground matter for planting
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- detritusLoose waste from decay
humus · organic · leaf litter · rotting wood · moisture · damp · flowerpot · vegetable garden
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- segmentedDivided into sections
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- jointedHaving flexible connections
chitin · carapace · crustacean · isopod · woodlouse · sowbug · invertebrate · terrestrial · gills · molting
curling
Forming curved shapes
protective · shielded · encased · withdrawal · retraction · contraction · tucking · rolled · spherical · defensive
roly-poly
Plump and round
pet · terrarium · backyard · discovery · nature play · observation · handling · collecting · fascination · science class
soil
Ground matter for planting
- mulchProtective plant bedding
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
detritus · humus · organic · leaf litter · rotting wood · moisture · damp · flowerpot · vegetable garden · flowerbed
- invertebratesinvertebrate, arthropod, arthropods, mollusk, crustacean
- armored thingstank, knight, armadillo, turtle, battleship
- garden bugsant, aphid, bee, beetle, butterfly
- small creaturesant, bee, beetle, butterfly, caterpillar
- isopodsisopod, woodlouse, roly poly, roly-poly, sowbug
- bugsbeetle, cricket, firefly, cockroach, ladybug
pillbuginsect
Six-legged invertebrate
beetle · ant · grasshopper · fly · butterfly
pillbugcoconut crab
Tree-scaling tropical decapod
giant isopod · tarantula · lobster · emperor scorpion · giant centipede