YJL

Woodlice, I learned their names after I killed them with salt and baking soda solution. Three of them.

After collected them in a small plastic cup, I got my camera ready to take some close-up shots. I was going to record. The solution is about 0.5cc of each with 5cc of water. I sprayed about five times, I don’t know how much they actually got sprayed. But they didn’t die right away and they didn’t the solution at all.

Curled up, or ball up, as responses. They tried to crawl up the plastic wall, getting to a place where has no solution. I doubled the solution and sprayed five more times. Totally sitting in the solution. They finally stopped moving after twenty minutes.

That’s when I started searching what they really were called and learned about them. I am sure they are member of Woodlice, or Armadillidium. Don’t know the exact the species. The ones in the pictures are about 3mm to 5mm. But there are more tiny ones, I picked these big ones to experience on.

From everywhere I read, they feed on dead plant, decaying stuff, not living plants. Although a few sources state that they may eat tomato, but that’s only after slugs or others have eaten open tomato, then woodlice might eat.

Basically, they are not big deal and do not harm, perhaps not even a pest-classification. They help break down plant materials. Sorry to them, these three little fellows and half of dozen of their cousins which I crushed with stick.

They are not insect, but crustacean, 7-pair legs instead of three like insect. 6 pairs when just hatched, later gain the last pair. Yes, I did find them look creepy as some insects, that’s why I didn’t like them. I shouldn’t judge by how they look. Not anymore, and I will move them to compost when I am able to pick up big ones, so they can have an all-you-can-eat buffet.