Slaters
Habitat
Slaters mostly inhabit moist areas and are commonly found under rocks and logs, in leaf litter in forested areas and in the garden. Some species are found in the semiarid regions of inland Australia and several introduced species are common inhabitants of suburban areas commonly living in compost heaps and other moist situations. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/allies/isopoda.html (19/03/15)
Where to find them?
Slaters (woodlice) in a native beech forest, New Zealand.
Terrestrial Isopoda are among the easiest soil animals to find and collect. They occur in a wide range of habitats, and are particularly abundant in lime-rich soils, as they need calcium to build their hard cuticle. Slaters can be found in dark, damp, sheltered places in almost any kind of environment. They spend the daylight hours congregated under shelters, sometimes in large numbers; at night they wander around in search of food, and even climb tree trunks. Look for them under logs, in leaf litter, in rotting wood, under loose tree bark, under garden debris, in compost heaps, under animal carcasses, under rocks and bricks. Once uncovered, slaters will try to escape the light, but they are not very fast runners. Slaters do not bite.
If dried, slaters become very brittle and will fall apart. If necessary, slaters can be preserved in 75% alcohol, although this will discolour them. Most species will survive for many days in a sealed container with soil, leaf litter, pieces of tree bark, or moss, placed in a cool dark area (for example, the veggie section of the refrigerator). http://soilbugs.massey.ac.nz/isopoda.php (19/03/15)
Woodlice are one of the easiest terrestrial arthropods to obtain in large numbers throughout the year. Porcellio scaber, the most common species is not difficult to identify with the naked eye, and is large enough to be handled without employing special techniques. Their behaviour is relatively simple yet providing perfect examples of kinesis and taxis. i A
Slaters mostly inhabit moist areas and are commonly found under rocks and logs, in leaf litter in forested areas and in the garden. Some species are found in the semiarid regions of inland Australia and several introduced species are common inhabitants of suburban areas commonly living in compost heaps and other moist situations. http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/allies/isopoda.html (19/03/15)
Where to find them?
Slaters (woodlice) in a native beech forest, New Zealand.
Terrestrial Isopoda are among the easiest soil animals to find and collect. They occur in a wide range of habitats, and are particularly abundant in lime-rich soils, as they need calcium to build their hard cuticle. Slaters can be found in dark, damp, sheltered places in almost any kind of environment. They spend the daylight hours congregated under shelters, sometimes in large numbers; at night they wander around in search of food, and even climb tree trunks. Look for them under logs, in leaf litter, in rotting wood, under loose tree bark, under garden debris, in compost heaps, under animal carcasses, under rocks and bricks. Once uncovered, slaters will try to escape the light, but they are not very fast runners. Slaters do not bite.
If dried, slaters become very brittle and will fall apart. If necessary, slaters can be preserved in 75% alcohol, although this will discolour them. Most species will survive for many days in a sealed container with soil, leaf litter, pieces of tree bark, or moss, placed in a cool dark area (for example, the veggie section of the refrigerator). http://soilbugs.massey.ac.nz/isopoda.php (19/03/15)
Woodlice are one of the easiest terrestrial arthropods to obtain in large numbers throughout the year. Porcellio scaber, the most common species is not difficult to identify with the naked eye, and is large enough to be handled without employing special techniques. Their behaviour is relatively simple yet providing perfect examples of kinesis and taxis. i A