I would like a document containing the lifecycle of the terrestrial
isopod Porcello scaber L

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Clarification of Question by gsvw-ga on 07 Sep 2002 08:43 PDT

Porcello scaber is a slater, I 
need data on lifecycle, pest damage etc

Hi gsvw,

Porcellio Scaber is one of the common slaters. They are also known as
woodlice and sowbugs. Originally from Europe, P. Scaber is now common
throughout much of the world. A large photo can be found here:

Identification features of Porcellio Scaber
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/woodlice/ps_ident.htm

The life cycle of a P. Scaber starts as a fertilised egg about 0.7mm
in diameter, which is moved to the brood pouch (marsupium) of the
mother. The egg develops in the brood pouch, where it continues to
live after hatching and until shortly after its first moult. P. Scaber
is capable of breeding after 15 months, and has a maximum life span of
30 months.

Source: Woodlice Online
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/woodlice/lcycle.htm

More detailed information on the lifecycle of P. Scaber (including
moulting details and mating behavior) is supplied by BugsDirectUK, who
breed and supply P. Scaber:

The Care of Woodlice
http://www.bugsdirectuk.com/woodlice.html

The above page also quotes Vincent M Holt as saying that woodlice are
edible and can be used to make a superior seafood sauce!

More information on the behavior of adult P. Scaber can be found on
these two pages:

Procellio Scaber - some background information
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/woodlice/expback.htm
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/woodlice/wlicebak.htm

Slaters are commonly found around buildings, and they occasionally
enter buildings, particularly at night. According to Adams
Exterminating Company Inc, they cause no damage and are only
considered a nuisance pest. Usually they do not survive indoors more
than a couple of days unless there is moisture and food present:

Bug Center - Sowbug
http://www.adamspest.com/insectinfo3.cfm?ID=45

The ClacksWeb Community Website repeats the assertion that slaters are
harmless, recommending that "they are best swept up and returned to
their outside environment. Alternatively a vacuum cleaner should be
used to remove them". However, insecticidal treatment can be carried
out:

ClacksWeb - Woodlice
http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/dyna/woodlice

An The Ohio State University Fact Sheet on infestation describes
prevention and chemical control (with specific pesticides named):

Sowbugs and Pillbugs, HYG-2074-94
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2072.html


Additional links:

Scientific Literature Database for Terrestrial Isopods
http://www.uni-kiel.de/zoologie/institut/limnologie/literat.htm

Woodlice Online (NZ site with many useful links)
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/wlice.htm

Introduction from "A Key to the Woodlice of Britain and Ireland"
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/isopoda.html

Six forensic entomology cases (P. Scaber found on a corpse)
(Journal of Forensic Sciences 43, 797-805;1303 (1998))
http://www.benecke.com/sixcases.html


Google search strategy:

"porcello scaber" "life cycle" (unsuccessful)
://www.google.com/search?q=%22porcello+scaber%22+%22life+cycle%22

"porcello scaber" (unsuccessful)
://www.google.com/search?q=%22porcello+scaber%22

"p scaber"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22p+scaber%22

"porcellio scaber" "life cycle"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22porcellio+scaber%22+%22life+cycle%22


Regards,
eiffel-ga