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Colorado Springs.Co

I'm not sure what they are called, we used to call them rollypolly's. I saw one around the base of my plant, I don't remember ever hearing that they are harmful. Anyone know?

5/22/2008 12:45:36 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Are you refering to a woodlice? thats what roly polys are called in the UK, if that is what you mean, a grey armoured thing that rolls into a ball, it won't hurt your plant.

5/22/2008 1:11:42 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Thats the guy, thanks Phil

5/22/2008 1:14:58 PM

[email protected]

Sow bug around here.

5/22/2008 3:03:59 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

They are actually a benificial, that helps to break down organic material in your soil

5/22/2008 4:16:08 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

You did ask Shaker.......lol......

Phylum, Arthropoda; Class, Malacostraca; Order, Isopoda

Identifying Features
Appearance (Morphology)

Three body parts: head, thorax, abdomen
One prominent pair of antennae (one inconspicuous pair)
Simple eyes
Seven pairs of legs
Seven separate segments on thorax
Paired appendages at end of abdomen called uropods
Color varies from dark gray to white with or without pattern
Adult Males and Females
On the underside, females have leaf-like growths at base of some legs. These brood pouches hold developing eggs and embryos. The first two appendages on the male abdomen are modified as elongated copulatory organs.

Immatures (different stages)
The immature isopod molts four or five times. They look like adults except for size, proportion, color and sexual development.


Natural History

Food
Isopods are omnivores or scavengers feeding on dead or decaying plants or animals. Some may eat live plants.

5/23/2008 2:37:42 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

LIVE PLANTS>>>>>>>??

Habitat
Isopods breathe with gills, so they are restricted to areas with high humidity, under rocks or logs, in leaf litter or in crevices. Some species are nocturnal.

Predators
Vertebrates and invertebrates.

Interesting Behaviors
Some species roll up into a ball when disturbed. Eggs (up to 100) are held in broad pouch on female. Juveniles look like adults and are soon liberated from pouch. Molting is in two stages. First the back half molts, then two to three days later, the front half molts. Coloration of both halves may be different at this time. Many species are fast walkers, but can be easily observed when held in the palm of the hand.

Impact on the Ecosystem

Positive
In their immediate vicinity, isopods do minimal soil improvement. Isopods are also a food source for other animals.

Negative
In greenhouses and southern states, large populations can eat and damage plants.

Collecting Live Insects

Where to find
Look under logs, moist leaf litter, flower pots (a day after they have been watered), outdoor pet dishes, and under paving bricks or stones. Isopods live where it is moist and usually in a shaded area. To attract them, water soil or leaf litter in the shade and cover with plastic, piece of plywood or cardboard. Keep the area moist and check under the covering in a couple days. If you are unable to find isopods they can be purchased from: Carolina Biological Supply Company.

5/23/2008 2:38:03 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

BiZ.....heads up, they maybe spys for Eddy the IceMan....

5/23/2008 2:39:19 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

I never thought there would be so much information on something at the bottom of the food chain, thanks for doing my research, I can be crafty too,lol.

Watch out I saw a line of them marching out of the garden toward I-25 north, Iceman must be using mind control on them and they're headed your way

5/24/2008 11:08:22 AM