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- Appearance
- The sowbug has 2 visible tail-like appendages projecting from their rear end, while the pillbugs appendages are not visible from above. Both are about 1/4 - 5/8 inch in length and gray to dark gray in color. They have 7 pairs of legs and 2 pairs of antennae, one tiny and the other clearly visible. The pillbug rolls into a tight ball when threatened, while the sowbug will roll into a very loose ball.
- Habit
- To try and prevent excessive water loss, they are inactive during the day. Preferring to remain in hiding during the day, they can be found in areas such as under rocks, trash, planters, piles of leaves or grass clippings, etc. They generally enter structures through doors on ground level.
- Diet
- Both pillbugs and sowbugs are scavengers, and feed on decaying organic matter, both plant and animal.
- Reproduction
- Both the pillbug and sowbug carry their eggs in a brood pouch underneath their body. After about 45 days, the young will emerge. The average number in a brood are 28, with 1 to 3 broods each year.
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