I live in Bloomington, IN and I have 3 pictures of blue pill bugs. They were all over my yard this summer. I am glad that I am not the only one seeing these, but sad that it is caused by a virus. Thanks for the info and name of the crustation.
blue roly poly bug by: marisol's dad
We found a bright blue roly poly bug this morning in Stockton CA 4/19/10. First one I've ever seen: glad there was an explanation and a photo.
Blue Crustacea by: Moni
This pillbug is so blue it looks fake! The iridovirus makes for an interesting critter. It is so neat that you got to see one! The pillbugs and sowbugs(two different Genus/species) are also called woodlice and are Crustaceans not insects. They are in the same Phylum - Arthropoda, but in different classes Pillbugs are Crustacea while insects are Hexopoda(or Insecta).
Thanks for Info by: CarolAnn
I did not expect to see my photo published here as I had submitted it to the "questions" section! However I am happy to know what cause my "weird little blue bug"
iridovirus by: Emma
That blue color is most likely caused by an iridovirus . Infected pillbugs
or woodlice have a blue color similar to your pictured specimen There are
studies in some Universities in the U.S.A. to determine it's cause and
effect on both pill bugs and woodlice. There seems to be plenty written
about both of these insects and their susceptibility to this virus,but few
pictures.
