Armadillidium nasatum
The nosy woodlouse — a hardy, distinctive pill bug with a pointed rostrum and a calm temperament.
About this species
Armadillidium nasatum — commonly called the nosy woodlouse — is a European species easily recognised by its prominent pointed rostrum (the forward-projecting plate on its head). This feature makes it immediately distinguishable from the rounder-headed A. vulgare. Like all Armadillidium, it can conglobate, rolling into a complete ball when threatened.
A. nasatum is a terrestrial crustacean, not an insect. It breathes through gill-like pleopods on its underside and will die from desiccation if humidity drops too low. It prefers slightly more moisture than A. vulgare, making it a good choice for keepers who want an Armadillidium that tolerates the damper conditions found in bioactive terrariums.
Enclosure
A ventilated plastic tub of at least 20x15 cm suits a starter colony. A. nasatum appreciates slightly higher humidity than A. vulgare, so ventilation should be moderate — enough to prevent stagnation without drying the enclosure out too fast. Cork bark, dried leaves, and cuttlebone are essential furnishings.
Substrate
- 60% coco coir
- 20% organic topsoil
- 10% fine sand
- 10% crushed limestone or cuttlebone powder
Keep the substrate slightly damper overall than you would for A. vulgare, but still maintain a gradient — one moist end, one drier end. Depth 5–8 cm, topped with dried hardwood leaves (oak, beech). Never use softwood materials (pine, cedar), which are toxic to isopods.
Feeding
- Dried hardwood leaves — the staple diet
- Vegetables: courgette, carrot, sweet potato
- Cuttlefish bone — critical for Armadillidium species, which have heavily mineralised exoskeletons
- Weekly protein: dried shrimp or fish flakes
Remove fresh food within 48 hours. Cuttlebone can stay in the enclosure permanently.
Breeding
A. nasatum breeds at a moderate, steady pace typical of Armadillidium. Females brood eggs in a marsupium and release fully formed mancae. Colony growth is slower than fast-breeding Porcellio species but reliable once conditions are stable. A starter colony of 20 can reach 60–80 within six to twelve months.
Handling
A. nasatum is one of the calmer isopod species and can be gently handled. When disturbed, it will typically conglobate rather than run. This makes it a good display species. However, like all isopods, unnecessary handling stresses the animals and risks desiccation — keep it brief and infrequent.