Porcellio dilatatus explained

Porcellio dilatatus (Commonly known as the Giant canyon isopod) is a species of woodlouse in the genus Porcellio belonging to the family Porcellionidae. This species is widespread in Europe,^[1] and has also been introduced to North America from Western Europe.^[2] They are long, are brown coloured and striped.^[3] They can be found feeding on alder leaves,^[4] but mostly feeds on organic food substrates, such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the wild. It also feeds on inorganic metal salts.^[5]

Pests

The species are considered to be house pests, that can be found in greenhouses, seed boxes, and flower pots.^[3]

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognised:^[6]

• Porcellio dilatatus bonadonai Vandel, 1951
• Porcellio dilatatus dilatatus Brandt, 1833
• Porcellio dilatatus flavus Collinge, 1917
• Porcellio dilatatus petiti Vandel, 1951
• Porcellio dilatatus rufobrunneus Collinge, 1918

Notes and References

1. Web site: Porcellio dilatatus Brandt, 1833. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014032433/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=218516. dead. October 14, 2013. 2.6.2. August 29, 2013. October 12, 2013. Fauna Europaea.
2. Book: Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Poore, G.C.B.. 2002. CSIRO Publishing. 978-0-643-06901-5. 308. PDF.
3. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=AUqYrRc8-AcC&dq=Porcellio+dilatatus&pg=PA435. David V. Alford. Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - A Colour Handbook. 2012. Manson Publishing. 978-1-84076-162-7. 4. 2nd. 435. PDF.
4. Isabel Caseiro. S. Santos. J. P. Sousa. A. J. A. Nogueira. A. M. V. M. Soares. amp. 2000. Optimization of culture conditions of Porcellio dilatatus (Crustacea: Isopoda) for laboratory test development. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 47. 3. 285–291. 10.1006/eesa.2000.1982. 11139182. 10198/849. free.
5. Carla Filipa Calhôa. Amadeu M. V. M. Soares. Reinier M. Mann. amp. 2006. Cadmium assimilation in the terrestrial isopod, Porcellio dilatatus – is trophic transfer important?. Science of the Total Environment. 371. 1–3. 206–213. 10453/8798. 17055036. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.09.013.
6. Marilyn Schotte. 2012. Porcellio dilatatus Brandt, 1833. Isopod. 262272. November 23, 2012.