Armadillidium gestroi Isopods For Sale UK - Giant Yellow Spotted Culture
Looking for a high-visibility, giant species for your bioactive display? The Armadillidium gestroi is one of the largest and most striking isopods in the hobby. Famous for its bold yellow raindrop spots against a dark, slate-grey exoskeleton. Native to the rocky Mediterranean coastlines of Italy, these robust isopods are prized for their active, bold nature and their impressive size, reaching up to 2cm.
🔍 At A Glance: Armadillidium gestroi Isopods Husbandry Summary
Scientific Name: Armadillidium gestroi
Common Names: Gestroi Isopods | Yellow Spotted Isopods
Adult Size & Lifespan: Impressive 2cm+ (One of the largest Armadillidium species available in the UK hobby) | 2–3 years
Breeding & Growth Rate: Moderate; typical of larger European pill woodlice, requiring a patient acclimatisation period before breeding numbers consistently take off.
Ideal Climate: Temperature: 18–23°C (Kept at 21–22°C The EntoScapes Way) | Humidity: 60–70% (Prefers standard temperate conditions with a reliable moisture balance).
Physical Identification & Behaviour: Beautifully polished, smooth dorsal surface displaying a sleek black to slate grey body punctuated by high-contrast, bright yellow spots. Classic conglobating species that tightly rolls into a perfect sphere if startled.
Place of Origin: Naturally distributed across Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia, heavily concentrated in South West France and Italy.
Substrate & Cover Depth: Requires an established floor covering with a minimum 3cm depth of pristine leaf litter and decaying wood fragments to mimic their natural forest floor microhabitat.
At EntoScapes, our gestroi are UK captive-bred and raised on our specialist calcium-rich substrates to ensure they are hardy and thriving.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, these iconic yellow-spotted isopods are a functional and beautiful addition to any temperate setup.
Explore the sections below for our biology-led guide on Mediterranean humidity gradients, ventilation, and the unique social behaviour of these 'Giant' gestroi.
- Large Size: One of the largest species of Armadillidium available in the UK hobby with mature individuals reaching 2cm+!
- Colouration: A lovely isopod with a shiny smooth black to slate grey body with contrasting bright yellow markings. You can see why these are so popular!
- Origin: Armadillidium gestroi are naturally distributed across Europe and some parts of Asia but are commonly found in South West France and Italy.
- Acclimatisation: These are suited to living in temperate conditions, and can take a little while to settle into a new environment like most Armadillidium species.
- Natural Environment: We suggest providing these with at least a 3cm layer of leaf litter and rotting wood to help them feel settled.
