Copy Paste Quotes

‘They are such neat, busy little folk’: the unexpected superpowers of the common woodlouse

This detritivore – known by a range of colourful names – tidies up our world and can withstand toxic pollution

Chucky pig. Slater. Monkey pea. Roly-poly. Boat-builder. Butchy boy. Cheeselog. Hobbling Andrew. Wood pig. If there were a prize for the range and joyfulness of a creature’s English-language names, the humble woodlouse would undoubtedly triumph over its million-plus invertebrate rivals.

Over centuries of easy cohabitation with humans, it has acquired more than 300 regional names in Britain alone, and many more in other languages (such as Gwrach y Coed, “witch of the wood”, in Welsh).

Continue reading...

Aug 3, 2026 Insects Wildlife Environment

Need the full article?

Use the dedicated news page for the summary, then jump straight to the original source when you want the complete story.