Common rough woodlouse

The common rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) is a crustacean belonging to the order Isopoda, within the family Porcellionidae. Unlike its aquatic relatives, this species has adapted to terrestrial life but remains strictly dependent on high-humidity environments to survive and breathe through specialized gill-like structures.

This pest is a major concern in greenhouse and nursery environments where moisture is abundant. They feed on various organic materials, including tender seedling stems, young roots, and foliage of plants such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries that are close to the soil surface.

The life cycle begins with the female carrying eggs in a ventral brood pouch. After hatching, the young go through several molts, increasing in size and hardening their exoskeleton. They thrive in dark, damp areas beneath pots, mulch, or rotting organic matter, which serve as both food and shelter.

Damage caused by woodlice includes irregular holes eaten into leaves and roots, weakening the plant's health and increasing its susceptibility to secondary pathogens. In commercial greenhouse production, they can significantly reduce the stand density by attacking newly planted or germinating crops.

Effective management focuses on environmental control: improving drainage, increasing ventilation to dry out the soil surface, and removing decaying plant debris. Trapping methods, such as placing damp boards or cardboard in the growing area overnight to attract them for disposal, are a practical non-chemical control strategy.