Asellidae

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Common Name

Sow Bug

Scientific Name

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Isopoda

Family

Asellidae

Lab Storage

Feeding

Omnivorous. Mostly feeds on fine particles of detritus on bottom or among rocks roots. Also scavenges dead animal matter and preys on injured animals.

Water Quality Tolerance

Most species are somewhat tolerant, especially of organic waste. They are reliable indicators of zones where streams are beginning to recover from sewage pollution.

Fact

5-20mm, not including antennae and tails. The body is strongly flattened. One pair of antennae is much longer than the other. They have seven pairs of walking legs. The rear of their thorax has a shield-like region. For more photos, refer to our online gallery: tinyurl.com/vv4ovef

Habitat

Found in a variety of habitats but are almost always in shallow waters, rarely in places deeper than 1m. Isopoda are very common in habitats with complex substrate that creates places to hide.

References

Voshell & Wright. 2002.