CRUSTACEANS

WOODLICE AND ALLIES

Common Shiny Woodlouse is a large species usually found under logs and in leaf litter. It is brown, glossy, with pale markings, and up to 16mm in length.

Common Striped Woodlouse is sometimes known as the 'Fast Woodlouse' because it has the ability to run faster than many other common species when disturbed. This brownish mottled woodlouse has a dark stripe running along the back and a black head. Antennae have three flagellal segments at the tip. Its maximum length is 11mm. Normally seen from early spring to late autumn. Mating normally occurs during the night. When a female is ready to mate a male climbs on her back and licks her head while drumming against her with his front legs.

Common Rough Woodlouse is normally grey, oval-bodied and measures up to 12mm long. It is sometimes tinged with orange, yellow or red. There are two pairs of antennae on the head, the inner pair being very small. At the rear the tiny last segment (telson) is flanked by a pair of appendages called uropods. This is a common species often found in gardens.

Pygmy Woodlouse is tiny, measuring up to 5mm long. Its mottled reddish-brown body has a smooth surface. There are two very similar species that are normally treated as an aggregate group.

Common Pill Woodlouse rolls up into a ball when disturbed.  It is slate grey often with lighter patches and measures up to 18mm in length.

Nosy Pill-woodlouse rolls up when disturbed, but does not form a perfect ball like the Common Pill Woodlouse. A main distinguishing characteristic is a rectangular-like protrusion ("nose") towards the tip of the head. It can grow to 21mm in length.

Two-spotted Water Hog-louse is a close relation to woodlice but lives it whole life in water. Poor swimmers, they normally crawl around weed and mud in stagnant water to feed on decaying organic debris. Two pale spots on the head distinguishes them from other species. Females have brood pouches underneath their body that carry eggs.