What does a pill worm look like? It looks like the picture below.
The pill beetle (Armadillidium vulgare) is often thought of as a worm, but it is not an insect. It is actually a terrestrial crustacean, classified as Arthropoda, Crustacea, Isopoda, and Armadillidium family. Why "isopod"? Because the pill beetle has 14 legs, all of which are identical in shape and size. The pill beetle has an elongated oval body, a pair of antennae on its head, and seven pairs of legs on each of the first seven segments behind the head. Its back is covered with a hard exoskeleton, which it curls into a ball to protect its soft abdomen when threatened. In traditional Chinese medicine, woodlice, known as "soybeans," have certain medicinal value. They are used to treat some diseases, such as common warts or flat warts. Distribution and Habitat: They are widely distributed globally, including in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and particularly prefer moist environments such as gardens, patios, and flowerpots. Pill beetles inhabit soil or soil surfaces, with preferred habitats in places with abundant decomposing organic matter, moderate to high humidity, reduced light, and moderate temperatures. Pill worms are mostly detritus worms, feeding on organic matter. They feed on dead plants and animals, and in some cases, they will eat living plants.
1. Most pill bugs feed on decomposed organic matter and decaying matter from plants and animals, playing an important role in the decomposition of organic matter in the environment and exhibiting scavenger behavior.
2. It also eats carrots and some fruits (such as strawberries).
3. Some species also have a carnivorous tendency, mainly manifested as cannibalism.
4. It obtains 10% of its nutrients from eating its own feces.
Cannibalism among the same species of pill worms:
When food resources are scarce, pill bugs will resort to cannibalism.
Typically, young and weak individuals are the targets of adult pill worms. These newborns and the weak are captured by the stronger, more powerful adult pill worms and then eaten.
In addition to engaging in cannibalism during periods of scarcity, pill bugs may also feed on their young during the mating season.
Most pill bugs exhibit a nocturnal tendency, searching for and feeding at night.
During the day, pill beetles are inactive and are therefore likely to be found hiding in dark, damp places, usually under logs, rocks, or fallen leaves.
Many animals eat pill-shaped worms: Pill-shaped insects are an important source of nutrition for organisms such as shrews, centipedes, owls, foxes, toads, frogs, some ants, and spiders. Pill bugs are non-toxic because they do not sting, bite, or carry any harmful diseases.
