Showing posts with label Isopoda: Isopods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isopoda: Isopods. Show all posts

Friday, September 18, 2020

Common Rough Woodlous (Porcellio scaber)

 This one has 2 segments in the antennae (smooth has 3) and no white line along the side where the body flares (that would be Rathke's). It has two tails (no tails are pillbugs).

If you don't know what woodlouse you have, but it has tails, use Crinocheta.






Rathke's Woodlouse (Trachelipus rathkii)

 If you don't know which woodlouse you have, but it has tails, put it in Crinocheta. 

This one has two segments on the end of the antennae, a light line at the base of the body where the edges flair out, and not a whole lot of bumps on top. If bumpier and no line: rough; if 3 segments in antennae: smooth.






Common Shiny Woodlouse / European Sowbug (Oniscus asellus)

 Can't roll in a ball, has two tails. The last angle of the antenna has 3 parts (not 2). generally light colored on the flared part of back and then with a row of dark spots. 

If you don't know which woodlouse you have but it has tails, use Crinocheta. 




Pillbug (Armadillidium sp.)

The only ones in NJ that can roll into a ball. They also don't have a pair of "tails" like woodlice do. There are two species here. They are difficult to separate. See here.









Striped Woodlouse / Speedy Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum)

 It's from Europe. Small and narrow, shiny, with a very black head and lighter but highly patterned back