Isopoda – Nature Journeys

Pill Woodlouse

Armadillidium vulgare

This woodlouse rolls itself up into a tight ball when threatened. They are light brown to purplish-black in colour, or grey and mottled yellow. They have several plates at the rear which help distinguish it from similar pill millipedes, and have fewer legs. Underneath, towards the rear, it has pale patches which are 2 pairs of lungs. Often confused with the Pill Millipede (Glomeris marginata). Length 18mm.

After dark they forage for dead organic matter.

Seen all year round. Found in various places, including woodland, hedgerows and gardens. It can tolerate drier conditions than other species of woodlice. Common and widespread throughout.

Photographs taken May 2014, rear garden, on patio, Staffordshire.

06/1607/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Nature Photography, WoodliceTags: Crusacean, Crusaceans, Isopoda, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Oniscidae, Pill Woodlouse, Wildlife Photography, Woodlice, Woodlouse 4 Comments

Common Striped Woodlouse

Philoscia muscorum

It is grey-brown in colour, with a dark head and dorsal stripe. Length 11mm.

Seen after dark where they forage for dead organic matter.

Seen all year round. Found in damp leaf litter, under rocks and stones in various habitats, including gardens. Common and widespread.

Photographs taken May 2014, rear garden, found under stone, Staffordshire.

06/1606/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Nature Photography, WoodliceTags: Common Striped Woodlouse, Crusacean, Crustaceans, Isopoda, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Oniscidae, Philoscia muscorum, Wildlife Photography, Woodlice, Woodlouse Leave a comment

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