Common Shiny Woodlouse

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

Common Shiny woodlice have four uropods at their rear end, which are little tail-like appendages.  There is a small inner pair and a longer outer pair.  The uropods are thought to help the woodlice to navigate, while some species use their uropods to produce fluids which can deter predators.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Woodlouse Section
• UK Safari Invertebrate Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?