Scientific name
Porcellio laevis
The smooth back is a useful character of Porcellio laevis. In males, the rear appendages are elongated. The BMIG distinguishes it particularly from P. dilatatus and Cylisticus convexus. [1]
Origin
British observations associate it mainly with old gardens, stables and moisture-retaining compost. [1] These regional records do not prove a purchased strain’s geographical origin.
- Smooth back
- Selected forms
- Juvenile records
Natural-history identification; husbandry explicitly documented for the commercial Milkback lineage, without generalising reproductive performance.
At a glance
The smooth back helps recognise Porcellio laevis. The captive practices presented concern the commercial Milkback lineage in particular [1][2].
| DOCUMENTED SIZE | Up to 20 mm BMIG; up to 23 mm stated for Milkback [1][2]. |
|---|---|
| LIFESPAN | To be documented No supported individual lifespan in the selected sources. |
| LIFESTYLE | Under shelters Accumulated organic matter and shelters [1]. |
Adult size
Up to 20 mm in the natural-history synthesis; the commercial Milkback lineage is advertised at up to 23 mm by Insektenliebe. These contexts are not interchangeable. [1][2]
Lifespan
Individual lifespan is not established by the selected documents; no numerical value is extrapolated.
Lifestyle
A woodlouse of shelters and accumulated organic matter. [1] In captivity, the Milkback lineage is described as lively; this observation does not measure the behaviour of every population. [2]
Housing
SETUP AND SHELTERS
Food-providing soil — The commercial Milkback protocol combines soil, decaying leaves, soft hardwood and bark [2].
The commercial Milkback protocol uses food-providing soil, decaying leaves, soft hardwood and bark in a closed enclosure with protected vents. [2]
Care parameters
BREEDER REFERENCE
18–26 °C — Insektenliebe practice for Milkback, not universal thresholds [2].
Humidity
A gradient — Humid shelters and a less humid area in commercial Milkback husbandry [2].
Temperature
18–26 °C for the Milkback lineage at Insektenliebe. [2] A practice value when attributed to a breeder; no universal safety threshold is inferred.
Humidity and ventilation
Humid shelters and a less humid area in the same protocol. [2] Examine substrate beneath shelters and record the enclosure’s actual conditions.
Feeding
DIET AND CALCIUM
Leaves, decaying wood, calcium and small supplements in the Milkback protocol; check leftovers according to the breeder [2].
Scope of this profile
Natural-history identification; husbandry explicitly documented for the commercial Milkback lineage, without generalising reproductive performance.
Species, colour and provenance
Milkback is presented by the breeder as a form resulting from its selection. [2] Keep this name in the lineage file without making it an additional species. For a strain of different origin, keep the name received and ask how identification was established. Colour similarity is not enough to authorise merging groups or assign parentage.
Preparing the colony
The setup must remain easy to interpret during checks. Photographing the initial litter level and identifying a few shelters avoids reorganising the entire enclosure for every observation. To document growth, record transfers and removals: otherwise a population change would be difficult to interpret. This organisation is a monitoring method proposed here, not a scientifically established minimum volume.
Diet and calcium
The Milkback guidance combines leaves and decaying wood with a calcium supply and small supplementary portions. It recommends checking leftovers the following day. [2] In the log, separate permanent resources from occasional meals. Photographing a portion before and after a check may help reduce excess without imposing fasting on the whole colony.
Humidity and ventilation
The choice between humid shelters and less humid zones is part of the setup described by the breeder. [2] To assess it, record where water is added and where the ground is examined. A humidity value taken higher up does not necessarily describe this substrate contact. Occasional condensation alone does not provide a diagnosis of the animals’ conditions.
Reproduction and young
Insektenliebe observes abundant reproduction in its lineage and recommends planning space for descendants. [2] No guaranteed time to birth is adopted. Comparing successive observations of small sizes without turning over deeper layers allows less disruptive monitoring. Record every container change and retain the original colony’s identity when splitting it.
Daily checks and limits
A brief check can cover leftovers, closure, humid shelter condition and visible animals. Distinguishing lack of observation from confirmed disappearance avoids hasty conclusions. The regional decline documented by the BMIG must not be confused with universal breeding difficulty. [1] Finally, this profile does not guarantee compatibility with another animal: the ‘cleaner’ function is not sufficient grounds for choosing cohabitation.
Checklist
- Keep the group’s provenance and identification.
- Prepare resources and shelters before arrival.
- Define a simple check without regularly dismantling the environment.
Observations to record
- Manual intervention log
- Substrate and food condition
- Young, moults and deaths observed
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Sources
Document-based overview; not a substitute for veterinary advice.
- British Myriapod and Isopod Group — Porcellio laevis
Source accessed - Insektenliebe — Caring for Porcellio laevis Milkback
Source accessed