Hello ,

When we think of Crustaceans we often think of crabs, crayfish, shrimps, and prawns, but the most widespread group of Crustaceans are much more common and much less reliant on bodies of water. These tiny Crustaceans, known as Isopods, are very likely present in your back yard.

There are many different types of Isopods, some that occur only in the ocean and become massive, others that are obligate fish parasites like the tongue biters, and then the most often encountered terrestrial Isopods.

Terrestrial Isopods are decomposers and live off decomposing matter such as fallen leaves, plants, decomposing wood, faecal matter, and dead animals, all of which they help break down into nutrients that plants require. Isopods are also excellent in aerating the soil with the tunnels they dig in the upper soil surface, as they are looking for food.

As a Crustacean, Isopods are still heavily reliant on moisture in their environment, and even arid species require a moisture source. Most species breathe through gills or simple lungs that both require moisture for successful respiration, and without successful respiration the isopods will quickly die. Their exoskeletons are also not very good at retaining moisture thus they are prone to desiccation if there is not enough moisture in their environment. That is why you find Isopods under leaflitter and decomposing logs or bark, since it is moist and there is a food source for them.

Isopods are also part of the general clean-up crew that is required in any bio-active vivarium, paludarium or bottle garden. They help break down waste and clean the floor of the enclosure, and sometimes if they are not careful, they will become a healthy snack for the inhabitant of the enclosure. This is all good, since they are high in calcium and other nutrients it will be beneficial to the animal.

Over the last few weeks, I have started taking some photos of the species that I could find in the area, and I was pleasantly surprised! I managed to find a total of 6 species in less than one hour on the first day that I went to look for some. I managed to find two very spectacular species from the genus Laureola (L. bivomer and L. rubicundus) on that day, and I will share these two spiky Isopods with you in the photos below! It was only upon closer inspection of these two species photos that I for the first time in my life understood how cool Isopods are!

Did you know that there are Crustaceans lurking in your back yard and that they are secretly helping you be a better gardener?

If you would like to send me a message with your answers, feel free to do so on Instagram @abugmanslife or via email to [email protected].

Weekly Top Shot: Spiky Isopods!