PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

This month's spotlight is on Isopods.

We carry “sow bugs” and “pill bugs”, also known as roly-polies or doodle bugs. Both have overlapping plates that are connected by flexible joints which allow them to roll up inwards to form their bodies into a ball shape, in a process called conglobation.

It may be triggered by stimuli such as vibrations or pressure, and is a key defense against predators. This behavior is shared with other animals such as armadillos and cuckoo wasps.

The diet of isopods is largely made up of decaying or decomposing plant matter, such as leaves and wood fibers. In wet conditions, they will also eat living plants.

Isopods can be used to teach students about ecological principles, such as food webs and tropical dynamics, and help them understand the importance of biodiversity and conservation.

Isopod Facts:

• They are NOT insects, but are crustaceans, which means they are animals with hard shells made from many pieces for protection.

• Their typical lifespan is between two and five years maximum.

• They do not breathe through lungs, they have gills.

• They are more active at night and early morning because they prefer dark, damp places.