Ant Woodlice

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Scientific name:  Platyarthrus hoffmannseggi

Size:  Up to 4mm

Distribution:  Found in southern and central Britain.

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Ant nests

Food:  Possibly mildew or ant droppings

Special features:  Ant woodlice are completely white, and nearly always found in the underground nests of ants.  The ants seem to be quite comfortable sharing their homes with these ghostly white miniature woodlice.  This is possibly because the woodlice help to keep the nest clean.

The dark underground environment does not seem to hinder them, and it's thought this could be because they have a poor sense of vision.

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