Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804
Status
GB rarity status: Nationally Scarce
ID Difficulty
Identification
Distribution and Habitat
Although uncommon, it has been widely recorded across Britain and Ireland. However, there seem to be very few modern records, and although probably under-recorded it does seem to have undergone a dramtic decline throughout the 20th century (Harding, 2016).
It is principally associated with synanthropic habitats, such as old mature gardens, stables or dairy farms. It should be sought within well-rotted compost heaps and dung heaps or under pieces of manure, straw and other debris, wherever some moisture has been retained. Typically, it is associated with Porcellionides pruinosus and Porcellio scaber (and P. dilatatus at some sites).
This summary is based on the detailed account in Gregory (2009).
Distribution
Reference
Harding, P.T. (2016) Is Porcellio laevis (Latreille) declining in Britain and Ireland? Bulletin of the British Myriapod & Isopod Group 29: 23-27.
Gregory, S. (2009) Woodlice and Waterlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea & Asellota) in Britain and Ireland. Field Studies Council/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.