Woodlice, often mistaken for insects, are small, segmented crustaceans more closely related to crabs and lobsters. These hardy creatures are known by various common names, including roly-poly, pill bug, and sowbug. They typically inhabit damp, dark environments, seeking refuge under logs, rocks, leaf litter, and sometimes in basements. Their preference for moist conditions is a direct link to their biological needs and their specialized diet.
The Decomposer’s Diet
Woodlice are detritivores, which means they primarily feed on dead and decaying organic matter. They consume this material to break down complex organic compounds and extract nutrients. Their physiology, including gill-like structures, requires them to live in moist environments to breathe effectively. These crustaceans also have a specific need for calcium to maintain and regenerate their hard exoskeletons. They acquire this mineral from various sources within their decaying diet, such as shed exoskeletons, chalky stones, snail shells, or by absorbing trace minerals from decomposing wood and soil.
Common Food Sources and Preferences
Woodlice consume a variety of decaying organic materials found in their habitats. Their diet frequently includes fallen leaves, rotting wood, and various fungi, including molds. They also feed on decomposing fruits, vegetables, and other dead plant material, as well as animal droppings. Fungi and bacteria that colonize decaying matter make the plant material easier for woodlice to digest. While their primary diet consists of dead matter, woodlice may occasionally nibble on tender living plant parts, such as seedlings or roots, especially if other food sources are scarce or conditions are unusually dry. They generally prefer moist, decaying matter and are often found enlarging wounds on plants already damaged by other pests like slugs or wireworms, rather than initiating damage to healthy plants.
Woodlice as Ecosystem Cleaners
The dietary habits of woodlice establish them as significant contributors to ecosystem health. They are often referred to as the “clean-up crew” of many environments. By consuming and breaking down organic waste, they play a part in the decomposition cycle. This breakdown process returns nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, back into the soil. Their activity helps aerate the soil and improves its structure, directly benefiting soil health and fertility. Woodlice perform an ecological service, transforming decaying material into usable resources for new plant growth.