Pill Bug Lab Report

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Question If pill bugs were given the choice, would they prefer a light environment or a dark environment? Background Many people are familiar with the “roly poly”, a pest that can be found all around the country. This species is actually known as the pill bug or scientifically known as Armadillium vulgare. They belong in the Anamalia kingdom, and the Arthropoda phylum. Their class is Malacostraca, and order is Isopoda. Their genus is Armadilladiam and species is Bulgary. Their family is Armadilldiidae. Another name for the pill bug is the wood louse. Pill bugs are about ¾ of an inch, dark black or brown, and have seven sets of jointed legs. Their bodies are divided into seven segments, one for each pair of legs. They have an exoskeleton, which means their vertebra is located on the outside of their body. 2 large antenna are located on its head, in between the eyes. These pests prefer to live in dark, wet places. During the day they can most likely be found under rocks, logs, foliage, or in trash. If they are exposed to sunlight for to long, they will most likely dry up and die. Pill bugs will huddle up together in order to retain moisture. When night falls, pill bugs venture out in search of food or a mate. The bugs mate in the spring, and usually mate three times in their life. Pill bugs live up to about 3 years, but usually less. After mating, the mother bug internally keeps her eggs in a pouch on the underside of her body. After about a month and a half the eggs hatch, but stay in the pouch for another two months. When they leave the pouch it takes another ten months for the bug to fully develop. A variety of food will satisfy the pill bug. They prefer rotting plants, especially vegetables. They will also eat grass clippings, mulch, foliage, stems, roots, and seedlings. Pill bugs prefer their food to be

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