More Under The Flowerpot

This tiny little woodlouse is called the Common Pygmy Woodlouse Trichoniscus pusillus agg. There were quite a number of these under a flowerpot I lifted up. They grow up to 5mm in length and there are two forms which are very hard to separate hence the agg. Examples infected with iridovirus can be found, which gives them a vivid purple sheen. Very common in damp soil and leaf litter, and the most abundant species found in woodland all over the British Isles.

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June 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

Crustaceans In The Garden

Its amazing what you kind find just turning over a leaf in your garden. This is the Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber.

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June 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

Common Rough Woodlouse

Porcellio scaber

This woodlouse is narrower than the Common Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus), and greyer, although it can also appear mottled and lighter in colour. It has a rough surface, covered in tiny bumps, The end of the antennae (flagellum) is in two segments. Length 10mm.

After dark they forage for dead organic matter.

Seen all year round. Found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodland, hedgerows, waste ground, and quite numerous in gardens. They shelter under rocks or stones, rotting logs or plant detritus. This woodlouse may also be found inside dwellings, and can withstand more drier conditions compared to other species of woodlice. Probably the most common woodlouse found in Britain. Common and widespread throughout.

Photographs taken March and April 2014, rear garden, found under rotting log, Staffordshire