Scientific name
Trichorhina tomentosa
Other names: Trichorhina tomentosa
This small, pale woodlouse occurs in damp litter and decaying wood. BMIG reports only known females and states that reproduction is considered parthenogenetic. [1]
Origin
Tropical Central and South America according to BMIG; introductions into heated greenhouses in several world regions. [1]
- Very small size
- Moist substrate
- Only females known
Documentary synthesis: natural-history data and husbandry limits distinguished.
At a glance
A small white woodlouse of moist decaying matter, Trichorhina tomentosa shows presumed parthenogenesis according to BMIG. [1]
| ADULT SIZE | Up to 5 mm BMIG natural-history reference. [1] |
|---|---|
| LIFESPAN | Not established No supported individual lifespan in the selected sources. |
| LIFESTYLE | Discreet in the substrate Damp litter and decaying wood. [1] |
Adult size
Up to 5 mm according to BMIG. [1]
Lifespan
Individual lifespan is not established by the sources consulted; a colony’s persistence does not measure its founders’ ages.
Lifestyle
A discreet species of moist decaying matter, also observed in heated animal enclosures. [1]
Housing
ATTRIBUTED BREEDING PRACTICE
Separate culture — Moist substrate and limited but protected ventilation in Springtails US practice. [2]
Plan a separate culture, inspectable with magnification. Springtails US describes moist substrate and limited, protected ventilation: this is a breeder’s account. [2]
Care parameters
CAPTIVE CLIMATE
Not established — No validated husbandry range in the selected sources.
Humidity
Moist substrate — Breeder practice; a humid environment is not submerged or airtight. [2]
Humidity
Moist substrate in the practice consulted [2] Moist does not mean submerged; document wetting and drainage of excess water.
Temperature
No numerical range adopted References to heated greenhouses do not allow a universal optimum to be inferred.
Feeding
DIET AND CALCIUM
Litter, small supplements and calcium in the commercial practice consulted. [2] No dose per individual is established.
Scope of this profile
Documentary synthesis: natural-history data and husbandry limits distinguished.
Identifying a small white woodlouse
BMIG describes an oval body, an eye formed from a single dark element and short club-shaped structures on the surface. [1] White colour alone is therefore insufficient. Photographing an adult with a scale and side lighting may be more useful than an image showing only white dots in soil. Juveniles of other species make this precaution particularly important.
A substrate that can be monitored
The described habitat includes wet litter, dead wood and decaying stumps. [1] A heavily disturbed culture becomes difficult to compare over time. For observation, choose a small reference shelter that can be lifted repeatably, then record visible presence or absence. Surface absence does not measure the total population and does not justify turning over all the substrate.
Foods and calcium reserve
Springtails US gives litter as the dietary base, with small supplements and a calcium source. [2] The animals’ tiny size calls for recording quantities placed rather than copying a large species’ portion. Invisible leftovers may simply have been buried. Removing clearly deteriorated portions and keeping addition dates helps identify the origin of accumulation.
Water and air: monitoring the environment
Greenhouse observations indicate an association with humid environments without providing a target relative humidity. [1] In the captive setup consulted, ventilation is reduced and protected. [2] This indication must not become an invitation to seal the enclosure airtight. Examine surface condition, substrate smell and signs of stagnation, then record every wetting change.
Reproduction and transfers
The absence of known males is a major feature of the species. [1] For management, treat every transfer of soil, roots or leaves as a possible animal transfer, even when nothing is visible to the naked eye. Use identified tools for this culture and do not share its substrate with a strain intended to remain pure.
Scope of this profile
This species is marketed as a terrarium helper, but that role does not demonstrate compatibility with every inhabitant or climate. The log must retain the culture’s purpose, transfers made and appearances of young. No figure for lifespan, brood size or growth rate was adopted because the documents consulted lack contextualised measurements.
French references: Trichorhina tomentosa
Reference found in the following French catalogues: Isopodshop [3]; Insectorus [5]. Catalogue presence, including out-of-stock listings, does not measure sales.
Isopodshop suggests 20-26 °C for husbandry. This is a commercial reference, not a demonstrated safe range. [3]
Insectorus states 20-26°C. This commercial range does not demonstrate safety thresholds. [5]
Insectorus states 4mm in adulthood, without explaining the measurement method. [5]
These sellers’ figures remain separately attributed: combining them does not create a newly validated husbandry range.
Checklist
- Identify this culture’s tools.
- Provide magnification to check identity.
- Document every substrate transfer.
Observations to record
- Reference shelter
- Substrate condition
- Food, young and transfers
The app provides individual animal records. Check which features are available for your animal in the released version.
Sources
Document-based overview; not a substitute for veterinary advice.
- British Myriapod and Isopod Group — Trichorhina tomentosa
Source accessed - Springtails US — Isopod Care Information, Trichorhina tomentosa
Source accessed - Trichorhina tomentosa — Isopodshop
Source accessed - World Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans database — Trichorhina tomentosa
Source accessed - Trichorhina tomentosa — Insectorus
Source accessed