Common Rough Woodlouse - Porcellio scaber

Alternative names
Rough Woodlouse
Description

Maximum length 17 mm. Usually grey, but can be mottled, and is covered in tiny tubercles giving it a rough and non-shiny appearance (Porcellio scaber means "scabbly little pig"). Occurs in various colour forms with a variety of mottling in yellow, red or orange. The colour pattern is genetically determined. Antennal flagella have two segments, base of antennae is frequently orange.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
Habitat

It lives under stones and logs as well as in wall and bark crevices. It can live in drier places than some other species. It is very frequently found in gardens.

When to see it

All year round.

UK Status

This species is probably the most common woodlouse and is widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Common Rough Woodlouse
Species group:
Woodlice, Crustaceans
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Isopoda
Family:
Porcellionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
341
First record:
30/09/1987 (Adrian Rundle)
Last record:
13/04/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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