Common Rough Woodlouse

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Porcellio scaber: //pɔrˈsɛli.oʊ ˈskeɪbər//

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Summary

Porcellio scaber, commonly known as the common rough woodlouse, is a widespread species of woodlice characterized by its rough surface and dark color. It thrives in humid environments and plays a key ecological role as a detritivore.

Physical Characteristics

Densely covered with tubercles, oval body up to 20 millimetres long, usually dark grey but can be brown, blue, yellow, orange, or pinkish. It has two pairs of antennae and two compound eyes.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from Oniscus asellus by its rough surface, dark color, and the apiculate middle lobe on the head.

Habitat

Prefers environments with humid air and plenty of ground moisture, often found in damp habitats such as forests and urban areas.

Distribution

Originally from Europe, now cosmopolitan including North America, South Africa, and Australia; also found on Marion island in the sub-Antarctic.

Diet

Detritivore, mainly feeding on decaying leaf litter and rotting plant matter; prefers bacteria and fungi associated with decay.

Life Cycle

Females carry 25 to 90 fertilized eggs for about 40–50 days until they hatch; young are mature after 3 months; adult lifespan is about two years.

Reproduction

Eggs are fertilized and held in a fluid-filled sac at the ventral side of the abdomen until they hatch.

Predators

Shrews, centipedes, toads, spiders, and some birds.

Ecosystem Role

Plays a significant role in decomposing organic matter through detritivory.

Evolution

There is one recognized subspecies (Porcellio scaber lusitanus), while two historical subspecies (P. s. americanus and P. s. japonicus) are no longer considered valid.

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for other species of woodlice due to similar morphology.

Tags

• woodlouse
• detritivore
• isopoda
• Porcellio scaber