Androniscus dentiger Verhoeff, 1908

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Common name

Rosy Woodlouse

Synonyms

  • Androniscus roseus sensu auct. Brit. not C.L.Koch, 1837
  • Androniscus weberi Verhoeff, 1908

Status:

GB IUCN status: Least Concern

ID Difficulty

2

Identification

The pygmy woodlice of family Trichoniscidae (and Styloniscidae) are readily distinguished from other woodlice by the shape of the antennal fagellum which comprises a tapered cone (of indistinct segments) bearing a terminal bristle.

Although variable in colour, in life Androniscus dentiger is usually bright orange or salmon pink, but any body pigment is rapidly lost in alcohol.  The entire body is covered in coarse tubercles, easily seen with a hand lens, and the eye is composed of a single black ommatidium. 

Immatures may be mistaken for Trichoniscoides spp. (which have a reddish ocelli that fades in alcohol) and the coastal Miktoniscus patiencei (which has a white body).

J.P. Richards
J.P. Richards
Warren Maguire
Keith Lugg
Keith Lugg
Bill Urwin
Nicola Garnham
Nicola Garnham
Warren Maguire
Warren Maguire
Warren Maguire

Distribution

A common woodlouse across much of lowland Britain and Ireland, occurring as far north as Shetland.

Habitat

It is equally at home in semi-natural coastal habitats, such as sparsely vegetated shingle, boulder beaches or erosion banks, and synanthropic sites including churchyards, gardens, waste ground, farmyards, etc.  

It can be found in a wide array of microsites, but often on the underside of large stones or amongst rubble, especially in damp spots.

This summary is based on the detailed account in Gregory (2009).

References

Gregory, S. (2009) Woodlice and Waterlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea & Asellota) in Britain and Ireland.  Field Studies Council/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Links

World List of Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans: https://www.marinespecies.org/isopoda/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=258615 

BRC code

72

idBmigTaxa

Cru_1067