I was working in my garden several years back when I spotted a blue pill bug (rolly polly, woodlouse, whatever you call Armadillidiidae). I was quite amazed. It was actually pretty. I did not know they came in that colour. Just did a search and found out it was sick and due for premature death. Invertebrate iridescent virus 31
What a poignant story. It feels like a poem that needs to be written. It illustrates, also, what may be seen if we take the time to look. Nature holds a multitude of lessons.
Interesting, thanks for sharing. Too bad it's a disease and not a mutation, I would love to see blue pill bugs crawling around. Always love finding the blue snails, which thanks to your post I looked up and now know are Blue Glass snails. :)
I found another shot of the bugger. You can compare it to a healthy one. I must say though as I recall the blue bug was active and vigorous.
It's interesting that the range map for this disease in iNaturalist shows nothing closer to BC than California. I assume that it is much more widespread than indicated on the map; I've seen quite a few infected pill bugs myself recently. The season chart in iNaturalist shows a strong peak in February.
Was reminded of the blue pill bug while reading this story: Some think the caterpillar may be infected with Iridovirus, which can alter a caterpillar's pigmentation to blue/blueish-purple and shorten its lifespan Mystery caterpillar found in an Australian backyard looks like Alice in Wonderland character | Daily Mail Online
Here's another bluish caterpillar found by my granddaughter 6 years ago. Even my etymologist friend couldn't say what it was (just from a photo, that is).