Woodlouse, SEM

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a woodlouse. Woodlice (also known as pillbugs, sowbugs, cheesebugs, chucky pigs and roll-up bugs to name a few) are crustaceans which belong to the order Isopoda and which have a rigid segmented exoskeleton and 14 legs. They are one of the only groups of crustaceans which have adapted to living on land. There are around 3000 species of woodlice around the world of which five are commonly found in the UK. They are often found in damp, dark conditions and are themselves herbivores so generally feed on dead or decaying vegetation. They are also an edible source of protein. Width of image is approximately 6.6 mm.