Conglobation
Guides
Agathidiini
round fungus beetles
Agathidiini is a tribe of small beetles within the family Leiodidae, commonly known as round fungus beetles. Members are characterized by their association with slime moulds, which serve as their primary food source. The tribe encompasses 11 genera distributed across multiple continents.
Agathidium
slime mold beetles
Agathidium is a genus of small beetles in the family Leiodidae, notable as the largest insect group documented that principally feeds on slime moulds. The genus includes approximately 100 described species distributed primarily across the Holarctic region. Several species have gained public attention through their unconventional scientific names honoring political figures and fictional characters. Some species possess the ability to roll into a nearly complete sphere, and males of certain species exhibit asymmetrical mandibular horns used in combat and courtship.
Arctobyrrhus
Arctobyrrhus is a genus of pill beetles in the family Byrrhidae, established by Münster in 1902. The genus contains at least two described species: Arctobyrrhus dovrensis and Arctobyrrhus subcanus. These beetles are distributed in northern Europe and western North America, respectively. Pill beetles in this family are known for their ability to conglobate, or roll into a ball, as a defensive behavior.
Arctobyrrhus subcanus
Arctic Grey Pill Beetle
Arctobyrrhus subcanus is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae, commonly known as the Arctic Grey Pill Beetle. It is native to North America with documented records from western Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. Pill beetles in this family are characterized by their ability to conglobate—roll into a tight ball when disturbed. The genus Arctobyrrhus is associated with northern and montane habitats.
Armadillidae
Tropical Pill Woodlice, Pill Bugs
Armadillidae is the largest family of terrestrial isopods (woodlice), comprising approximately 80 genera and 700 species. Members are characterized by their ability to enroll into a complete sphere (conglobation), a defensive behavior that distinguishes them from most other woodlice families. The family exhibits a strongly convex body form adapted for this rolling behavior, with antennae fully enclosed within the sphere when enrolled—a key difference from the superficially similar family Armadillidiidae. Armadillids occupy diverse habitats across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some species adapted to arid environments and others to cave systems.
Armadillidiidae
pill bugs, roly polies, pill woodlice, slaters, potato bugs, curly bugs, doodle bugs, Butchy-Boys
Armadillidiidae is a family of terrestrial isopod crustaceans distinguished by their ability to roll into a complete ball (conglobation) when disturbed. This defensive behavior, shared with unrelated pill millipedes and some other arthropods, has made them commonly known as pill bugs or roly polies. The family contains approximately 18 recognized genera and shows highest diversity in Mediterranean karstic regions, with some species having achieved widespread global distribution through human activity.
Armadillidium
pill woodlice, leg pebbles, pill bugs, roly-poly, potato bugs
Armadillidium is a genus of terrestrial crustaceans commonly known as pill bugs or roly-polies, distinguished by their ability to roll into a ball when disturbed (conglobation). The genus contains approximately 189 recognized species, most endemic to Mediterranean regions. These detritivores inhabit moist environments and play important roles in decomposition. The most widespread species, A. vulgare, has been introduced globally and serves as a soil bioindicator.
Armadillidium vulgare
common pill-bug, common pill woodlouse, roly-poly, potato bug, doodle bug, carpenter
Armadillidium vulgare is a terrestrial isopod native to Mediterranean Europe that has become one of the most widespread woodlouse species globally through human-mediated dispersal. It is the most extensively studied terrestrial isopod and serves as a model organism for research on mitochondrial genome evolution, desiccation resistance, and conglobation behavior. The species exhibits remarkable morphological plasticity, including numerous color morphs maintained through selective breeding in the pet trade.
Byrrhinae
pill beetles
Byrrhinae is a subfamily of pill beetles within the family Byrrhidae, established by Latreille in 1804. The subfamily comprises approximately 25 genera and at least 160 described species. Members are small, compact beetles with a characteristic rounded, pill-like body form that enables conglobation—rolling into a ball when disturbed. Byrrhinae represents the more species-rich of the two subfamilies in Byrrhidae.
Byrrhus
pill beetles
Byrrhus is a genus of pill beetles established by Linnaeus in 1767, containing at least 30 described species. These beetles are notable for their ability to conglobate, or roll into a ball when disturbed. The genus belongs to the family Byrrhidae, a group of small beetles often associated with moss and lichen habitats.
Byrrhus eximius
Superb Pill Beetle
Byrrhus eximius is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. It is found in North America, with records from western Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. The common name "Superb Pill Beetle" has been assigned to this species. Like other members of the genus Byrrhus, it is a small beetle capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball).
Ceratocanthinae
Pill Scarab Beetles
Ceratocanthinae is a subfamily of scarabaeoid beetles within Hybosoridae, comprising approximately 366 species in 43 genera distributed across three tribes. These small beetles (2.0–10.0 mm) are renowned for their unique ability to perform complete conglobation—rolling their body into a tight ball by curling three body trunk segments and folding their tibiae. This defensive behavior, which evolved once in the Mesozoic, represents the only known complete conglobation in insects and is supported by specialized exoskeletal structures and thickened, mechanically reinforced dorsal cuticle.
Ceratocanthus aeneus
shining ball scarab beetle, round fungus beetle
Ceratocanthus aeneus is a small pill scarab beetle in the family Hybosoridae, commonly known as the shining ball scarab beetle or round fungus beetle. The species is native to eastern and southeastern North America. Like other members of its subfamily, it exhibits a highly compact, rounded body form adapted for conglobation (rolling into a ball).
Cleptes
cuckoo wasps, jewel wasps
Cleptes is a genus of cuckoo wasps comprising approximately 100 recognized species, making it the largest genus in the subfamily Cleptinae. Members are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae, exhibiting the characteristic brood parasitism of their family. The genus has been relatively well studied in Europe and North America, though Asian faunas remain poorly documented. A 2013 revision from China recognized seventeen species, nine of which were newly described.
Cleptes speciosus
Cleptes speciosus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, first described from China. The species is one of nine new species discovered during the first systematic revision of the genus Cleptes from China. Members of this genus are parasitoids of sawfly prepupae and exhibit the distinctive metallic coloration and conglobation behavior characteristic of cuckoo wasps.
Cubaris
Reclined Pill Woodlice
Cubaris is a genus of woodlice (terrestrial isopods) in the family Armadillidae, established in 1833 with Cubaris murina as the type species. The genus contains more than 100 described species, though it has become a wastebasket taxon with many species placed in it that do not fit the original description. Species in this genus are capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball) and have been widely used in ecotoxicity testing due to their sensitive behavioral responses to soil contaminants. Several Cubaris species, particularly undescribed forms such as "Rubber Ducky," have become popular in the pet trade.
Cubaris murina
little sea isopod, little sea roly poly, little sea pillbug, little sea pill woodlouse
Cubaris murina is a small terrestrial isopod (woodlouse) in the family Armadillidae, notable for its ability to conglobate—roll into a complete ball when disturbed. The species reaches approximately 11 mm in length and 5 mm in width. It has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions across multiple continents, with populations in the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The species has become popular in the exotic pet trade due to its bioactive utility in terrariums and the development of several color morphs through selective breeding.
Curimopsis albonotata
pill beetle
Curimopsis albonotata is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. It is known from North America, with confirmed records from Alberta and the Yukon Territory in Canada. Pill beetles in this family are characterized by their ability to conglobate, or roll into a ball, as a defensive behavior. The specific epithet 'albonotata' suggests white markings, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources.
Curimopsis echinata
Prickly Pill Beetle
Curimopsis echinata is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae, first described by LeConte in 1850. It is known from North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of the pill beetles, it exhibits the characteristic ability to conglobate (roll into a ball) when disturbed. The specific epithet 'echinata' (spiny/prickly) suggests a textured or spinose appearance.
Cytilus
pill beetles
Cytilus is a genus of pill beetles in the family Byrrhidae, established by Erichson in 1847. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and East Asia. Pill beetles in this genus are characterized by their ability to conglobate—curl into a compact ball when disturbed—a defensive behavior that gives the group its common name.
Diplopoda
millipedes
Millipedes (Diplopoda) are a class of myriapod arthropods characterized by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments, a result of segmental fusion during their evolutionary history over 400 million years ago. They are primarily detritivores that play critical roles in ecosystem nutrient cycling through decomposition of organic matter. The class contains approximately 12,000 described species across 16 extant orders, with body forms ranging from elongated cylindrical forms to short, pill-like species capable of conglobation (rolling into a defensive ball).
Germarostes
pill scarab beetles
Germarostes is a genus of pill scarab beetles in the family Hybosoridae, established by Paulian in 1982. The genus contains at least 70 described species, making it one of the more diverse genera within its family. Members are found primarily in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Pill scarab beetles derive their common name from their ability to conglobate, or roll into a ball shape.
Germarostes aphodioides
pill scarab beetle
Germarostes aphodioides is a pill scarab beetle in the family Hybosoridae, first described by Illiger in 1800. The species is recognized for its ability to conglobate, or roll into a ball. Two subspecies are currently recognized: the nominate form and G. a. prionomus.
Glomeridae
pill millipedes
Glomeridae is a family of pill millipedes in the order Glomerida, comprising over 300 species distributed among approximately 30 genera. Members are characterized by their ability to conglobate (roll into a complete sphere) as a defensive mechanism. The family has a primarily Palearctic distribution with significant diversity in Southeast Asia, and includes both surface-dwelling and cavernicolous species. Many species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical regions.
Glomeroides primus
California Pill Millipede
Glomeroides primus is a pill millipede species in the family Protoglomeridae, native to western North America. It is one of the few pill millipede species found in the Nearctic region, where it occupies a restricted range centered on California. The species was originally described by Silvestri in 1929 under the basionym Apiomeris prima. Like other members of Glomerida, it has the ability to conglobate (roll into a complete ball) as a defensive adaptation. The genus Glomeroides represents an ancient lineage within the Oniscomorpha, the clade containing all pill millipedes.
Gnorimosphaeroma noblei
Gnorimosphaeroma noblei is a marine isopod in the family Sphaeromatidae, described by Menzies in 1954. It is a small crustacean capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball), a defensive behavior common in pill isopods. The species occurs in the temperate North Pacific region. Like other sphaeromatids, it inhabits marine intertidal and shallow subtidal zones.
Hybosoridae
scavenger scarab beetles, scavenger and pill scarab beetles
Hybosoridae is a family of scarabaeiform beetles comprising over 600 species in 78 extant genera. Members are small (5–7 mm), oval beetles with distinctive antennae bearing a deeply grooved 8th antennomere that houses the 9th and 10th segments. The family was historically recognized as distinct based on unique larval characteristics, particularly the stridulatory behavior of rubbing front legs against the epipharynx margin. Formerly, the family Ceratocanthidae was merged into Hybosoridae, expanding its constituency.
Lioligus nitidus
pill beetle
Lioligus nitidus is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae, characterized by its ability to conglobate (roll into a ball) when disturbed. The species was described by Motschulsky in 1845 and is known from western North America, with records from Alaska, British Columbia, and other regions. Pill beetles in this family are typically associated with moist habitats and feed on decaying plant material.
Lioon
pill beetles
Lioon is a genus of pill beetles in the family Byrrhidae, established by Casey in 1912. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small, compact beetles capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball), a defensive behavior characteristic of the family Byrrhidae.
Lioon simplicipes
pill beetle
Lioon simplicipes is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1852 and is known from North America, with records from Alaska and British Columbia. Like other members of Byrrhidae, it is characterized by its ability to conglobate—curl into a tight ball when disturbed. The genus Lioon contains species adapted to cool, often montane or northern environments.
Morychus
pill beetle
Morychus is a genus of pill beetles (family Byrrhidae) established by Erichson in 1846. These beetles are characterized by their compact, rounded body form that allows them to roll into a defensive ball. The genus belongs to the tribe Morychini and is distributed across northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Members of this genus are associated with mossy and lichen-rich habitats.
Oniscidea
Woodlice, Pillbugs, Rock Slaters
Oniscidea is the suborder of terrestrial isopod crustaceans commonly known as woodlice, pillbugs, and rock slaters. This diverse group comprises over 5,000 described species that have successfully colonized land from ancestral marine isopod stock. They are characterized by a dorsoventrally flattened, segmented exoskeleton with seven pairs of walking legs, and occupy a wide range of habitats from forests and grasslands to caves and urban environments. Most species are nocturnal detritivores that play important roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Onomeris
Onomeris is a genus of pill millipedes endemic to the eastern United States. First described by Orator F. Cook in 1896, the genus was briefly considered the type of its own family Onomeridae before being placed in Glomeridae based on similarities to the European genus Glomeris. The genus contains three recognized species: O. underwoodii, O. sinuata, and O. australora. Onomeris millipedes are notably smaller than other Glomeridae genera, measuring less than 5 mm in length.
Porcinolus
pill beetles
Porcinolus is a genus of small beetles in the family Byrrhidae, commonly known as pill beetles. The genus was established by Mulsant & Rey in 1869 and contains at least three described species native to North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their ability to conglobate, rolling into a compact ball when disturbed. The genus is part of a family known for mineral feeding habits and association with moist, mossy habitats.
Simplocaria
pill beetles
Simplocaria is a genus of pill beetles (family Byrrhidae) established by Stephens in 1829. The genus contains more than 30 described species. Members of this genus are associated with forest habitats in northern regions. Simplocaria metallica has been specifically studied in northern Alberta, Canada, in relation to forest habitat characteristics.
Simplocaria semistriata
pill beetle
Simplocaria semistriata is a species of pill beetle in the family Byrrhidae, first described by Fabricius in 1794. It is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Simplocaria. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Pill beetles in this family are known for their ability to conglobate—roll into a ball—and often inhabit moist, mossy environments.
Sminthuroidea
Sminthuroidea is a superfamily of springtails (Collembola) within the order Symphypleona, established by Bretfeld in 1994. Members share a globular body form with the ability to roll into a ball when disturbed, distinguishing them from elongate springtail superfamilies. The superfamily includes families such as Sminthuridae and Dicyrtomidae, which are among the most frequently observed and photographed springtails due to their relatively large size and often bright coloration.
Sphaeromatoidea
Seapills
Sphaeromatoidea is a superfamily of isopod crustaceans commonly known as seapills. Members of this group are characterized by their ability to conglobate—roll into a ball when disturbed. The superfamily includes approximately 1,000 described species distributed across multiple families, primarily in marine and estuarine habitats. These isopods are distinguished from related groups by specific morphological features of the pleon and uropods.