10 



FAEMEKS BULLETIN 1i 



although known variously by the terms '" woodlice," sowbugs, and 



" pillbugs." Two species, the greenhouse pillbug^ and the dooryard 



sowbug,- are illustrated in figures 5, 6, and 7. 



Sowbugs frequent damp, dark places, such as those beneath boards, 



in cellars, and in the cracks of sidewalks. When disturbed, many spe- 

 cies roll up to form a ball, lying quite still 

 until the danger is past. (See fig. 6.) During 

 the night they issue from their hiding places 

 to feed upon decaying vegetable matter, molds, 

 and other material present in damp soils, al- 

 though at times the roots of plants and even 

 the green leaves are not eschcAved. 



The young are carried about in a pouch, 

 formed by several modified anal plates on the 

 abdomen of the female, until able to shift for 

 themselves. When released by the female the 

 young are similar in appearance to the adults, 

 although much smaller, 

 and are likewise capable 

 of damage. There is 

 probabh^ onh^ one gen- 

 eration annually, the 



yoilng making their appearance in the spring 



and requiring one summer to reach maturity. 

 The destruction occasioned by sowbugs is 



due to their attacks on the caps or fruiting 

 bodies of mushrooms. 

 These they attack while 

 quite small, destroying 

 them or injuring their 



appearance. They do not, as a rule, attack 

 the mycelium, but eat holes in the j'oung " but- 

 tons," which, on the completion of the growth, 

 become much larger and disfigure the product. 

 Sowbugs are frequently carried into the 

 mushroom house in compost which has been 

 allowed to stand outside. The heat of the 

 manure is relished by them, and they collect in 

 numbers, remaining throughout the growth of 

 the spawn and becoming injurious with the 

 first growth of the mushrooms. The writer 



has seen sowbugs collected in manure piles to such an extent that 



Fig. 5. — The greenhouse 

 pillbug (ArmadiUidium 

 vuUjarc) extended. Much 

 enlarged. (Author's illus- 

 tration.) 



Fig. G. — The greenhouse 

 pillbug (ArmadiUidium 

 viihjare) contracted. 

 Much enlarged. (Au- 

 thor's illustration.) 



Fig. 7. — Door.vard sowljug 

 (I'orcellio lacrin). Much 

 enlarged. (Author's illus- 

 tration.) 



^ArmadiUidium ruhjarc Latrellle. 

 'PorceUio lac vis Koch. 



