Latin name:  Oniscus asellus

Size:  Up to 16mm

Distribution:  Found throughout the U.K.

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Damp, shaded places such as under stones and logs

Food:  Dead plant matter

Special features:  The common shiny woodlouse is grey in colour with yellow patches. The grey colour is usually very pale at the edges of the body armour (called 'epimera').  As the name suggests the body is smooth and shiny.

The tail end has two pointed projections called 'uropods'.

The end of the antennae (the Flagellum) is in three segments.  The eyes are composed of a group of shiny black bumps (called 'ocelli').

Related Pages

• Woodlouse Section
• Creepy-crawlies Section
• UK Safari News