sow bug

sow bug
/sow/
any of several small, terrestrial isopods, esp. of the genus Oniscus; wood louse.
[1740-50]

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Any of certain terrestrial crustaceans of the order Isopoda, especially members of the genus Oniscus.

Native to Europe, they have been introduced into North America. Sow bugs grow to 0.7 in. (18 mm) long. The oval, gray body is rather arched and is covered with broad, armourlike plates. Two elbowed antennae extend about half the length of the body, and there are seven pairs of limbs. The sow bug lives in moist places, especially under stones, in moist leaf litter, and in cellars. See also pill bug.

Sow bug (Oniscus asellus).

Hugh Spencer

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      any of certain small, terrestrial crustaceans of the order Isopoda, especially members of the genus Oniscus. Like the related pill bug, it is sometimes called the wood louse. O. asellus, which grows to a length of 18 mm (0.7 inch), is widely distributed in Europe and has also been introduced into North America. The oval, gray body, which is rather flattened and arched, is covered with broad, armourlike plates. Two elbowed antennae extend about half the length of the body, and there are seven pairs of limbs. This species is found under stones, in moist leaf litter, and in cellars.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sow bug — Sow Sow, n. [OE. sowe, suwe, AS. sugu, akin to s[=u], D. zog, zeug, OHG. s[=u], G. sau, Icel. s[=y]r, Dan. so, Sw. sugga, so, L. sus. Gr. y^s, sy^s, Zend. hu boar; probably from the root seen in Skr. s[=u] to beget, to bear; the animal being… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sow bug — sow′ bug [[t]saʊ[/t]] n. ent any of several small terrestrial isopods, esp. of the genus Oniscus; wood louse • Etymology: 1740–50 …   From formal English to slang

  • sow bug — [sou] n. any of several small terrestrial isopods (esp. genus Oniscus) living in damp places, as under rocks …   English World dictionary

  • sow bug — noun terrestrial isopod having an oval segmented body (a shape like a sow) • Hypernyms: ↑woodlouse, ↑slater • Member Holonyms: ↑Porcellio, ↑genus Porcellio, ↑Oniscus, ↑genus Oniscus * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • sow bug — noun Date: 1750 wood louse; especially a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sow bug — [ saʊ] noun chiefly N. Amer. another term for woodlouse …   English new terms dictionary

  • sow bug —   Pokipoki …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • sow-bug — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sow — Sow, n. [OE. sowe, suwe, AS. sugu, akin to s[=u], D. zog, zeug, OHG. s[=u], G. sau, Icel. s[=y]r, Dan. so, Sw. sugga, so, L. sus. Gr. y^s, sy^s, Zend. hu boar; probably from the root seen in Skr. s[=u] to beget, to bear; the animal being named in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sow bread — Sow Sow, n. [OE. sowe, suwe, AS. sugu, akin to s[=u], D. zog, zeug, OHG. s[=u], G. sau, Icel. s[=y]r, Dan. so, Sw. sugga, so, L. sus. Gr. y^s, sy^s, Zend. hu boar; probably from the root seen in Skr. s[=u] to beget, to bear; the animal being… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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