Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833
Common name
Status
ID Difficulty
Identification
This is a small, blind, white woodlouse reaching 5mm in length. The broad oval body, stout antennae, and its association with ants, are quite characteristic of this species.
Due to its small size and pale colour, preserved specimens are often confused with the Pygmy Woodlice (Trichoniscidae).
Distribution and Habitat
It occurs widely across much of southern Britain and south-eastern Ireland, but becomes genuinely rare in northern England and ultimately restricted to coastal sites in Scotland.
In the southern areas it may be found wherever suitable species of ants occur (Lasius, Myrmica, etc - see Hames (1987) for more information), including gardens, churchyards, road verges and semi-natural grasslands. Lifting stones or paving slabs in sunny locations is the easiest way to find an ants’ nest, and P. hoffmannseggii within.
This summary is based on the detailed account in Gregory (2009).
Distribution
Reference
Gregory, S. (2009) Woodlice and Waterlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea & Asellota) in Britain and Ireland. Field Studies Council/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.