Pill-bugs
Guides
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.
Gabunillo
Gabunillo is a genus of small, eyeless, pigmentless woodlice in the family Armadillidae. Described in 1983 from Gabon, it now includes four species found in Gabon, Brazil, and São Tomé. Members of this genus are characterized by their ability to fully conglobate (roll into a ball), complete absence of eyes, and lack of pseudotracheae. The genus is distinguished from the similar Synarmadillo by cephalon structure, telson shape, and the absence of ventral teeth on thoracic segments.