Armadillidium maculatum, also known as the zebra isopod or zebra pillbug is an Armadillidium species of woodlouse, named for its black and white patterns. It is native to southern France.[1]
Armadillidium maculatum is average sized for its genus and can grow up to 1.8 centimeters or 11/16 inches.[2] Like other members of its family, it can conglobate or roll into a ball when disturbed or to conserve moisture.[3]
Its striped appearance is thought to be an example of Batesian mimicry, mimicking the pill millipede Glomeris marginata which secretes noxious chemicals and is native to the same range.[4] Armadillidium maculatum, like all other woodlice, have 7 pairs of legs and 7 main body segments (pleon)
Being an arthropod, A. maculatum has an exoskeleton which it must shed (molt) as it grows. Unlike most other arthropods, A. maculatum sheds its exoskeleton in two halves, one at a time (biphasic molting). It is theorized that isopods do this to maintain partial mobility while they are molting and vulnerable.[5]
After mating, a female individual will keep fertilized eggs in an egg-pouch on the underside of her body called the marsupium. After a few weeks, the eggs will emerge from the marsupium as mancae (isopod babies) in sizes as many as over a hundred babies at a time. (estimates vary)[6]
Like other woodlice, it is a detritivore which feeds off decaying organic material. It feeds mainly on fallen hardwood leaves and decaying hardwood.[7] Like other members of its genus, it also enjoys fresh plant matter, lichens, tree bark, and algae. Like all other isopods, it breathes through modified gill-like organs, and requires some moisture to breathe, although it will drown if submerged in liquid for extended periods of time.[8] [9] The gills can be identified as white patches behind the 7th and final pair of legs.[8] Like other members of its genus, it can withstand a drier environment than many other isopods.
Armadillidium maculatum has become a very popular pet among isopod hobbyists. Commonly called the zebra isopod, it is inexpensive, and easy to keep. It is quite bold, which is thought to be caused by its Batesian Mimicry of Glomeris marginata. Armadillidium maculatum has no venomous or harmful bite or sting.[10] Armadillidium maculatum is most often kept as a display isopod in a terrarium, being the main attraction. More rarely, Armadillidium maculatum is kept as a cleaner in bioactive setups. Along with other isopods, Armadillidium maculatum can be help to turn otherwise useless organic matter like fallen leaves into essential nutrients. They can also eat leftover reptile food, and eat shed skin of insects and reptiles. Isopod breeders have managed to develop several different morphs of this species including “Yellow Zebra” with yellow stripes instead of white ones; “Spotted Zebras” with white spots instead of stripes; and “High White” where the white stripes are considerably larger and make up a majority of the exoskeleton's coloration. Along with other members of its family and some others, it is not used as a feeder because of their tougher exoskeleton, and their ability to roll into a ball.
Armadillidium maculatum is native to a small range in southeastern France.[11] Unlike many of its cousins, like Armadillidium vulgare, it has not been introduced into other regions of the world. It has a far greater spread as pets and vivarium cleaners. Like other woodlice, it can be found underneath stones, leaf litter, rotting logs, and anywhere that could retain moisture to prevent desiccation, as they need moisture to breathe.