5 replies to this topic

[AntidepressAnt]

Hello people. I got some isopods from a compost bin, and I've been keeping them in a old ice cream container with many small ventilation holes and a substrate of coir. I don't know much about isopods and I have no idea what kind of woodlice are these, but I'm pretty sure there's more than one species in there. Location is Paracuru, Brazil.

 

 

 

 

[IdioticMouse26]

Dang, I really wish I could help, but when I did research, it's so hard to find id for isopods. The closest I got is that they(possibly) belong in the family Philosciidae.

If I find something out more, I'll make sure to let you know.

[AntidepressAnt]

Any help is welcome!

 

The isopods are apparently doing well in that setup. Also, many small whitish arthropods showed up, couldn't get any decent pictures because they are so tiny. Hopefully they are springtails, but I'm kinda worried if they are something more nefarious.

[Stubyvast]

They are probably springtails! As for the arthropod species, I did a bit of research, so here's some of my guesses:

A. Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii

B. Porcellio laevis

C. Trichorhina  tomentosa

 

So those are my guesses! I'm no professional in this area but that's what I think based on my research. Springtails, though, are really great for a lot of things. They break down compost, are hunted by ants, breed super fast, and eleminate dangerous molds. Great to have in any ant/woodlouse set-up!

[AntidepressAnt]

Thanks!

 

I was kinda worried the little white bugs were some sort of mite, but looking closely they definitely are springtails. Here are some feeding on a cooked bean I put there:

 

 

I will try adding them to my Camponotus substitutus colony later!

[mbullock42086]

the big velvety ones look like cubaris