'Yellow Spotted Isopods' (Armadillidium gestroi) - Woodlouse 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 "pill bugs" are prized for their active, bold nature and their impressive size, reaching up to 2cm.
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.
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