Armadillidium gestroi
(Tua, 1900)
Branch: Arthropoda
Sub-branch: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Under order: Oniscidea
Family: Armadillidae
Gender: Armadillidium
Species: Armadillidium gestroi
A stocky, dark grey-purple woodlouse with bright yellow spots on its back, remarkable for its visual contrasts. Some breeding selections have particular morphs such as the “Milky” or “White” varieties.
Endemic to the western Ligurian Riviera, particularly in the province of Savona (Italy)
Very easy to breed species
Rapid development
Very prolific species
Species active and visible during the day.
What you need:
Armadillidium gestroi are quite slow , to protect themselves from attackers they have no other choice than to curl up into a ball : this is volvation. Many animals such as snakes, hedgehogs and even millipedes use this technique.
The reproduction of Armadillidium gestroi is very simple.
Mating lasts a few seconds. Once mated, the female will keep the male's sperm and can mate with other males. (Reproduction by polygynandry) This sperm can then be used in the following broods. be used in the following broods be used in the following broods It is therefore difficult to identify the breeding male.
The incubation of the eggs takes place directly in the abdomen of the female in a pouch called a marsupial pouch or marsupium and lasts about 2 to 3 months. The young (called mancas) are born and remain in the marsupium for three to four days, then emerge. At birth they are white and measure about 1mm.
Temperature
Can be aged between 18 and 24°C.
Hygrometry
50-75% . As with most isopods, it is advisable to separate the terrarium into two zones, one humid and one dry.
If the terrarium is very airy and the substrate dries out too quickly, you can spray a little water.
Terrarium
There are many possibilities for raising them. You can use braplast boxes or other plastic boxes with ventilation, but also aquariums or equipped terrariums. The size will depend on the number of individuals and will therefore have to be adapted to the growth of the colony. For example, in a 5L box you can keep around 20 individuals. Then in a 10L box around 30/40 individuals.
It is possible to create bioactive environments by raising Armadillidium gestroi with other animals.
Substrate
The substrate is a mixture of decomposed oak, beech or chestnut leaves and rotted wood. This is the litter layer of deciduous forests. The whole will be ground as finely as possible and then placed at the bottom of the terrarium. You can also place an area with whole or coarsely ground leaves.
Decorations and additional elements
Bark will be placed on the substrate to create hiding places. The isopods will gather at this level. You can also add some stones, moss and even natural plants .
Food
They are detritivores and they feed on decomposing organic matter. The basic food will therefore be the substrate . Then we can add pieces of vegetables and fruit . Preferably vegetables and fruits that keep over time and do not go moldy too quickly: zucchini, cucumber, squash, apple, banana, etc. You will therefore have to adapt the quantity of food according to the size of your colony.
Supplements
A protein boost : dehydrated shrimp are very popular, but also our special isopod mix.
A calcium supplement : Cuttlefish bone or calcium powder.
