Armadillidium Vulgare by Chipka
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Description
It’s quite funny that one of my favorite animal species on the planet has a name that sounds like a rare substance (of incredible value) utilized in some lurid science fictional universe. Armadillidium vulgare—also known as the common “pillbug”—lends itself to science fictionalization quite easily, however; and so it’ll come as no surprise to me to learn of advanced, quasi-alien societies roaming the cosmos in search of the rare minearal “Armadillidium,” for use in whatever it is that aliens (or sufficiently advanced humans) would use Armadillidium for.
Whenever I’m required to spend vast amounts of time at the infamous truck yard, I look for woodlice. Needless to say, this is something that can only occur in warm weather. Winter at the truck yard is boring and tiresome. It is depressingly monochromatic. Spring, Summer, and early Autumn are the best times. Ground toxins are at their highest, as antifreeze and other truck-drippings impregnate the soil, but there are toxin-free areas, and in these little oases, I find many treasures. Most commonly, I find woodlice. Big ones. Healthy ones. As spring evolves into summer, I find locusts—two species, at least—and on rare occasions, I find carrion beetles, which leads me to wonder what dead mammalian things might also lie around. I have yet to find the remains of rats or larger critters, but the carrion feeder populations are a tell-tale clue that I should probably look a bit harder. Or not.
Last week, I found woodlice: a prodigious number of them. After a day of moving dental chairs and x-ray machines, I waited—with my father—for another of his trucks to come in. There was precious little to do, and the air smelled gloriously of rotting compost with tinges of railroad-track creosote. The security team (the thieving dogs, Rover and Blondie) were roaming along the tracks, sniffing after interesting things, and plotting their next hamburger heist. They’ve gotten better at it, though Blondie is still hilariously brazen. Rover has taken to emotional manipulation, most-commonly involving a look that tells you how close to the brink of starvation he is…just as long as you don’t look in the direction of his not-so-empty food bowl. He only gets that look in the presence of someone eating a gyros.
So, with two dogs wandering and a number of humans busy at work on some half-dead engine or another, I picked my way through weed-growth and piles of wood. I found spiders—most of which were too quick in their manner of camera-evasion. I found beetles. I found woodlice…quite a prodigious number of them. Most were adults, one or two molts away from gaining their more complex color-patterns; others were younger and still “wood colored” with subtle stripes. There were enough of them in clumps and gaggles for me to catch the faintest whiffs of ammonia. Woodlice are efficient ammonia-excretors. They don’t waste time or energy encapsulating it in solid or liquid waste; they simply vent it through their armor and go about their business. Woodlice are a paradigm of efficiency, among other glorious things.
I had a good day last week, and the woodlice you see here are the first markers of what I hope is a good summer. Needless to say, there will be more woodlice photos in this gallery.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're all having a great week.
Comments (26)
Sepiasiren
Ummm--great picture but little buggies creep me ooout--lol
durleybeachbum
A joy to read all that, Chip, and to see such healthy creatures in an urban industrial yard. I've seen a great many today during my 6 hours of gardening..I'll probably feel the punishment for that tomorrow! They look so WELL!
helanker
Lots of stuff there and lots of nice little woodlice. I like the story about them. I have seen a few outside here too.
alessimarco
A fascinating read...amazing what can survive in the harshest environments...and no surprise that its insects! Great photo too!
myrrhluz
Armadillidium Vulgare! What a huge name for the little guys I used to pick up and roll gently in my hand, then tilt back to the Earth and watch uncurl and scurry away. Occasionally a soft nudge was given to set them right side up. A most fun read about them and the fabricating dogs. Great detail and POV! Excellent image of them finding an out of the way spot to do their thing, including excreting ammonia efficiently. I never knew they did that!
kgb224
Outstanding capture of these critters my friend.
subcultura
pretty kewl full size view.. well done
sandra46
great critters.. i believe i saw their ancestors in the National Museum in Prague.. they have a great collection of specimen. For some reason i don't know i've always called them St. Anthony's piglets in Italy
xxancroft
There is indeed great beauty and design in these small creatures of the animal kingdom. You can see where Geiger gets some of his inspiration from. Nice coloration and sharpness in this photo. Well done!
auntietk
The things I didn't know about woodlice before I met you! How did I ever survive to adulthood not knowing that woodlice (what I always called potato bugs) drink through their butts and vent waste as a gas through their shells? I thought of you the other day when I was reading an article in the National Geographic. There's a land-dwelling crustacean that lives in the Redwoods. It doesn't need much water in order to be mobile, and it's believed they actually swim UP the side of trees when it's raining and the bark is really wet. I thought, "Chip would love this." I'm a little behind on my NG reading, but if you can find the issue with a redwood tree on the front, maybe six or eight months old, check it out.
bmac62
More fun in the truck yard. Fascinating little critters amd most efficient indeed:) Fine photo Chip, great detail and and like abundance of earth tones they wear to blend in.
MrsRatbag
This is a lovely shot! Wow, a colony! Well found and captured!
danapommet
OH NO! Wood bugs - I must have fallen into Chip's gallery. Way to get right in there Chip and get this awesome macro, Love the details. Dana
beachzz
LOL at Tara--I also have always thought of these as potato bugs. I did NOT know about the bugs in the redwoods and they're right in my backyard!!
Meisiekind
A wonderful read and such a sweet capture of your favourite bugs in the whole wide world! I would have thought that being reminded of someone by woodlice could be an insult, but in your case I do believe it is NOT!!! LOL... You're the best Chip~!
ragouc
Very good macro
minos_6
Beautifully shot, and full of detail. The lighting was perfect, which is something I don't often see in macro captures like this. A thoroughly entertaining read as well, you have a knack of delivering what to many is new information in a really engaging way. Excellent!
flavia49
fantastic capture! wonderful macro!
zulaan
Beautiful little guys ! Love macro photos !
watapki66
Wonderful macro!
jocko500
they are wonderful to look at as they move around. wonderful marco
MagikUnicorn
Sweet shot we have a lots of this here in Canada (in summer) :) Because in winter nothing can live here ;-)
Alex_Antonov
Very well done!
Daz1971
Sensational photo! I love the colours and the depth of field. I hate bugs, but I'm finding your love for them quite contagious!
Bothellite
I see a great 3d model waiting to be made here. I love the macros and the bugs. Too bad I'm getting too old to get down close and then get back up again :-))
Crabbycabby
The colours are perfect. Great shot. Love their name as well.