Gotta love Pillbugs...

Trish recently spotted this spectacular pillbug (FIRST IMAGE) and held it for me to take a photo. Not only was this individual extra large, it also had an unusual pattern of yellow markings I hadn't seen before. Most of the ones I've seen are just slate gray in color.

First, let's sort out what the heck a pillbug is. You might know them as roly-polies (because they roll into a protective ball when disturbed or dehydrated). They are often called isopods, because they are in the order Isopoda. Other names include pill woodlouse, potato bug, slater, and doodle bug.

This color pattern got me curious, so I went down a Google rabbit hole and discovered that genetic color variations are fairly common in this species, Armadillidium vulgare, the common pillbug. In fact, some people keep them as pets, selectively breeding them for these yellow color patterns.

By the way... back in the years when I taught 7th-grade science, I developed a research study with my students, in which we formed partnerships with other middle school classes around the United States. Each partner class collected pillbugs, and we conducted various behavior experiments to measure their preferences for temperature, moisture, light, and other environmental factors. Then I had all the partner schools exchange results to see how these pillbug behaviors vary in different parts of the country. It was a really cool project.

For the culminating activity, I had students from all schools collaboratively write a multi-chapter sci-fi story featuring a sentient, time-traveling pillbug named Armadillia. I kid you not.

The students from the various schools even drew illustrations for the story, and we created a book. The SECOND IMAGE is an example illustration. That's Armadillia with his portable time machine. Unfortunately, I can't give credit to the 7th grader who drew this picture because I don't remember who it was.

My fascination with isopods shows up again in the Bridgers series. In "Bridgers 4: The Mind of Many," I populate a bizarre world with 2,000-pound isopods. These gentle giants, each the size of a hippopotamus, roam the wilderness in herds, feeding on moss (THIRD IMAGE).

If you haven't read the Bridgers series, you're in for a treat. Check it out (https://www.amazon.com/Bridgers-Series/dp/B07GVDDM7S).

Photo Credits:
Giant pillbugs in forest - Midjourney
Other photos - Stan C. Smith