can anyone tell me anything about rolly pollies?

Answer 1

FACTS FROM DOCTOR ROLLY POLLY. Read mine, trash the rest. I am a expert on the rolly polly. Not just because I just finished emptying a dozen or so out of my sons pants pockets, but rather then the fact I am a trained MASTER GARDENER with a MASTERS in science and expert entomologist.
\FACT. rolly pollies RE: SOWBUGS are not insects but soil-dwelling crustaceans in the isopod order, more closely related to crayfish then insects. I'll skip all the fancy Latin crud and just tell you they look like tiny armadillos. They feed on decaying plant materials and are very important in the process of decomposing organic matter in the garden. A good garden bug. But if you must rid yourself of them, the first step in managing sowbugs is to limit the moisture and decaying matter environment in which they thrive. Try to water early in the day so plant matter will be dry by night fall. Elevate maturing mellons and squashes on old strawberry baskets. black plastic mulches are also helpful in discouraging sowbugs because they get too hot to provide desirable shelter for the pests.

Answer 2

Roly polies are omnivores or scavengers feeding on dead or decaying plants or animals. Some may eat live plants. 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; they, eat decomposing plants at night.

They are known as isopods, pillbugs, doodle bugs, roly polies (in the South) and sow bugs. 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.

They really don't have much impact on the ecosystem but in warmer areas, like the South, the bugs can damage plants or crops.

If you want to find some ~ 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.

Here are photos:
http://www.cirrusimage.com/isopoda_sow_bug.htm

Answer 3

Common Name: Sowbugs, pillbugs
Scientific Name: Varies
Order: Isopoda
Description: Adults grow to about 3/8 inch long, have a number of rounded body segments and seven pairs of legs. Sowbugs possess a pair of tail-like structures on the back end of the body. Pillbugs do not have these structures and are capable of rolling into a tight ball when disturbed, a behavior that resulted in their common name, "roly-polies."

Isopoda (sowbugs and pillbugs) are terrestrial crustaceans, and are more closely related to lobsters, shrimp and crayfish. They even have gills.

Answer 4

I thought rolly pollies were really silverfish.

Answer 5

I find them under rocks, leafs anywhere shady and a little moist. They curl up when you pick them up..ergo...rolly pollies.
My son ate one when he as about 2. He is now 27. So we will assume they are not poisonous.

Answer 6

sure, what do you want to know? they are small, maybe up to aroundhalf an inch for the bigger ones, gray,have many little legs, and if you poke at them, they roll themselves into a little ball, and look like a tiny little BB. they like to live under rocks, in old rotten logs, chickens like to eat them, and they are a sign of rich soil. actually they help to enrich the soil. they are also my sons favorite bug.want to know some more ?

Answer 7

They do tricks! They can roll and play dead. Great pets. LOL. Hey, their 'outerwear' looks like armor...

Answer 8

They are known as "Woodlice" or "woodlouse" in the singular.

Answer 9

in australia we call them slaters & my kids called them automatic soccer balls

Answer 10

You can flick them!