What Does Rollie Pollie Eat? Discover Their Surprising Diet!
What Does Rollie Pollie Eat?
Rolly pollies primarily feed on dead and dying organic matter, vegetation, and fungi.
They will sometimes eat garden plants when other food sources are scarce.
When other food is scarce, they may eat the roots and stalks of young plants, including tomatoes, radishes, carrots, beans, peas, lettuce, cucumbers, and fruit.
Rolly pollies also eat their own feces to absorb all the nutrients from their food.
Key Points:
- Rolly pollies primarily feed on dead and dying organic matter, vegetation, and fungi.
- They may eat garden plants when other food sources are scarce.
- When food is scarce, they will eat the roots and stalks of young plants such as tomatoes, radishes, carrots, beans, peas, lettuce, cucumbers, and fruit.
- Rolly pollies consume their own feces to absorb all the nutrients from their food.
Did You Know?
1. Rollie Pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are not actually bugs or insects but are crustaceans, more closely related to lobsters and crabs.
2. Despite their small size, rollie pollies have the ability to consume decaying plant matter, dead insects, and even small amounts of feces as part of their diet.
3. Rollie pollies are one of the few land-dwelling creatures that are capable of consuming heavy metals without experiencing toxicity. They can actually store these metals in their bodies without any negative effects.
4. The average rollie pollie can consume their own weight in food each day, which is an impressive feat considering they usually weigh less than 1 gram.
5. As a defense mechanism, rollie pollies have the ability to curl up into a tight ball, protecting their delicate underside. Some species even release a noxious substance when threatened, acting as a deterrent to would-be predators.
Introduction To Rolly Pollie
Rolly pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are fascinating creatures that belong to the family of crustaceans. They are commonly found in gardens, where they play a significant role in maintaining the ecosystem.
These small, segmented creatures have a unique ability to:
- Break down organic matter
- Increase soil pH
- Regulate pests
Rolly pollies have been around for millions of years and have adapted to various environments worldwide. Their popularity stems from their distinctive behavior of rolling into a tight ball when threatened, earning them their well-known name.
To summarize:
- Rolly pollies are crustaceans known as pill bugs or woodlice.
- They are found in gardens and contribute to the ecosystem.
- Their abilities include breaking down organic matter, increasing soil pH, and regulating pests.
- They have existed for millions of years and are adaptable.
- They roll into a tight ball when threatened.
Rolly Pollie’s Role In The Garden
In the garden, rolly pollies serve as essential decomposers, breaking down dead and dying organic matter. They consume decaying vegetation, fungi, and even their own feces, known as coprophagy, to extract valuable minerals. By feeding on these materials, rolly pollies facilitate the decomposition process, aiding in the cycling of nutrients back into the soil. This activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.
Additionally, rolly pollies have a profound impact on soil health. As they consume heavy metals from their food, they can help reduce the concentration of these contaminants in the soil, resulting in a healthier environment for plants. Moreover, the gas emitted from their shells, although smelly, contributes to the soil’s overall fertility.
Rolly Pollie’s Diet And Pest Control Abilities
Despite their small size, rolly pollies play a significant role in pest control within the garden. They have an appetite for organisms such as stink bug eggs, which can become pests themselves if left unchecked. These tiny crustaceans serve as a natural predator to these pests, helping to regulate their populations.
While rolly pollies primarily feed on dead and decaying organic matter, they may occasionally resort to other food sources when scarce. This includes ripe fallen fruit and vegetables, as well as the roots and stalks of young plants such as:
- tomatoes
- radishes
- carrots
- beans
- peas
- lettuce
- cucumbers
- fruit
It is important to note that this behavior is typically a result of insufficient alternative food sources rather than inherent destructive tendencies.
In summary, rolly pollies are beneficial for pest control and primarily feed on dead organic matter. Their occasional consumption of other food sources is due to scarcity, not destructive tendencies.
Protecting Rolly Pollies In The Garden
Although rolly pollies generally do not cause damage to plants, it is still crucial to protect them to ensure their continued beneficial presence in the garden. One method of safeguarding rolly pollies is by placing cups or bottles at the base of plant stalks. This creates a physical barrier, preventing accidental trampling or disturbances that could harm these small crustaceans.
Additionally, maintaining a diverse garden ecosystem can help support rolly pollie populations. By providing a variety of food sources and shelter, gardeners can encourage these beneficial creatures to thrive and contribute to the overall health of the garden.
To protect rolly pollies in the garden, consider the following measures:
- Place cups or bottles at the base of plant stalks as a physical barrier.
- Maintain a diverse garden ecosystem with a variety of food sources and shelter.
“Safeguarding rolly pollies is essential to their presence in the garden.”
Rolly Pollie’s Impact On Carbon Emissions And Soil Health
One particularly surprising aspect of rolly pollies is their ability to assist in reducing carbon emissions. Some of the fungi they consume emit carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas. By feeding on these fungi, rolly pollies indirectly contribute to the mitigation of carbon emissions in the garden. This showcases their unique and unexpected role in environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, as rolly pollies consume heavy metals from their food, they retain these minerals within their bodies. When they excrete their waste or eventually decompose, these minerals are released back into the soil, improving its overall health and fertility. This makes rolly pollies instrumental in creating a nutrient-rich environment for plants to grow and thrive.
In conclusion, rolly pollies, despite their small size, have significant contributions to make in both the garden ecosystem and environmental sustainability. From their role as decomposers and pest regulators to their impact on carbon emissions and soil health, these crustaceans deserve appreciation for their invaluable services. By understanding and protecting them, we can ensure the continued balance and resilience of our gardens and the planet as a whole.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep a Rollie Pollie as a pet?
Keeping a Rollie Pollie as a pet can be a delightful and low-maintenance choice. These tiny creatures are known for their charm and are fairly easy to take care of. However, it is important to provide them with a proper diet to ensure their well-being. With the right care and nutrition, a pet Rollie Pollie can thrive and live for an impressive span of up to 5 years.
What do Rolly Pollies need to survive?
In order to survive, Rolly Pollies rely on a specific set of conditions. Their survival depends on living in damp environments, as they possess gill-like structures that enable them to exchange gases. These structures require moisture to function properly, allowing the Rolly Pollies to breathe. However, it is important to note that they cannot survive if submerged in water. This explains why they are commonly found in nature under rotting logs or leaves, where the dampness is ideal for their survival.
Do Rolly Pollies eat eggs?
Yes, Rolly Pollies do eat eggs. They target stink bug eggs, playing a crucial role in controlling their population and protecting plants. Additionally, Rolly Pollies contribute to the ecosystem by decomposing dead matter and enriching the soil with essential nutrients, showing that they offer more benefits than drawbacks.
Do Rolly Pollies eat onions?
While rolly pollies, also known as pillbugs, primarily feed on decaying organic matter, they are opportunistic creatures and will not hesitate to munch on tender plant parts if given the chance. This is evident from the destruction of green onions witnessed by the author, where the hungry pillbugs feasted on the roots and stems of these garden plants. Therefore, in this particular scenario, it is likely that rolly pollies indeed ate the onions.