Plum Woodlouse
Porcellionides pruinosus
This record describes Porcellionides pruinosus (species). Recorded family: Porcellionidae. Recorded order: Isopoda.
Identification and Appearance
External diagnostic features (Ferenc Vilisics's comments ): More here
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Isopoda (Isopods)
- Suborder
- Oniscidea
- Family
- Porcellionidae
- Genus
- Porcellionides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
anthropogenic situations
Geographic Range
Native to the Mediterranean, adventive elsewhere and now cosmopolitan
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt 1833)
About Isopods: the wider group
Order-level background for Isopoda, the group containing Porcellionides pruinosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Isopoda includes ~10,000 described species of woodlice, pill bugs, and sea slaters. Woodlice are the only crustaceans to have fully adapted to life on land. Pill bugs (roly-polies) can roll into a perfect ball for defense.
Ecological role of the group
Woodlice are critical soil decomposers, breaking down dead plant material and recycling calcium and other nutrients. They breathe through gill-like structures and require moist environments. Giant deep-sea isopods (Bathynomus) can grow up to 50cm long.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Woodlice are generally beneficial in gardens as decomposers, though they can occasionally damage seedlings and soft fruits in large numbers.
Recorded sources for this group: Soil ecology research, marine biology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Plum Woodlouse (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Ted Kropiewnicki , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Plum Woodlouse
What is Plum Woodlouse?
Plum Woodlouse (Porcellionides pruinosus) is a species in the family Porcellionidae, within the order Isopoda.
How big is Plum Woodlouse?
5―10 mm
How do you identify Plum Woodlouse?
External diagnostic features (Ferenc Vilisics's comments ): More here
Where is Plum Woodlouse found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | anthropogenic situations |
| Range | Native to the Mediterranean, adventive elsewhere and now cosmopolitan |