Common rough woodlouse, head with antennae and compound eyes
Image details
Contributor:
VBrockhaus / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2C27MPWFile size:
40.9 MB (1.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4683 x 3053 px | 39.6 x 25.8 cm | 15.6 x 10.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
13 April 2019More information:
Porcellio scaber (otherwise known as the common rough woodlouse or simply rough woodlouse), is a species of woodlouse native to Europe but with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are often found in large numbers in most regions, with many species (shrews, centipedes, toads, spiders and even some birds) preying on them. P. scaber is a detritivore - it mainly feeds on decaying leaf litter but will consume any rotting plant matter. Living plants are of limited nutritional value for these woodlice which prefer to feed on the bacteria and fungi which cause decay. P. scaber has very sensitive olfactory receptors that allow it detect the smell of microbial activity and so locate food. This ability to quickly detect the faintest sign of decay has led to the false[citation needed] belief that they harm seedlings and soft fruit.