Woodlice are members of the suborder Oniscidea from the order Isopoda. Depending on the species, the region where they live, as well as other criteria, woodlice have many different common names, some of which include: armadillo bug, doodlebug, granny grey, pill bug, potato bug, roll up bug, roly-poly, sow bug, slater, or wood bug.
Woodlice are normally considered to be beneficial in gardens, seeing as they play a role in controlling certain pests, as well as in producing compost and overturning the soil. However, they can also come to be considered pests themselves; they have been found to feed on cultivated plants, such as ripening strawberries and tender seedlings.
Woodlice are insects that can be considered as harmless to humans. However, they are able to cause serious damage to furniture and inside a household, especially if they are able to find damp spots. They can be easily eliminated, but as with any other insect, it is better to prevent such an infestation, than having to deal with getting rid of it.
The woodlice are isopod crustaceans with a rigid, segmented, long exoskeleton and fourteen jointed limbs. They feed mostly on dead plant material, and they are usually active at night. Woodlice form the suborder Oniscidea within the order Isopoda, with over 5,000 known species. Some are considered beneficial in gardens due to their role in controlling pests, producing compost and overturning soil. However, they can also feed on cultivated plants and seedlings, thus affecting crops.