Looking for pill bugs ("rolly pollies" ?sp?)

[Elytra and Antenna]

Hey the funny thing is I introduced them on a large scale to the market this year and so many have followed suite and claimed to be the first.
I started doing it because my kids collected so many when they were playing that i started keeping them in with the roaches to make the kids happy and then i noticed they were multiplying and the roach tanks were cleaner, so i figured hey i never saw them for sale for this use before so i started marketing them.
I sell 100 sandard isopods for $25 plus shipping, we also introduced the Orange ones from Europe, next year i will be selling the Yellow, Blue and purple ones.

They really work and are edible, dart frogs, geckos and certain lizards will gobble them up like candy.

Sincerely
Dexter D
http://www.doubleds.org

Is there a reason my orange isopod photograph and roach photographs are still on your website you're advertising on Arachnoboards?

 

[Ecilious]

I was under the impression that the blue woodlice were that colour because of a parasite or disease and didn't live very long.

 

[Digby Rigby]

iridiovirus

Hello,

Yes I do believe it is whats known as an iridiovirus it is a virus that turns the color of crustaceans blue it also kills them over time. Apparently they die faster if just kept with only other blues. They can and do infect healthy cultures. I only sell the orange isopods not the grey or blue ones. That way no worries.

Digby Rigby

DigbyRigby@exoticfeeders.com

 

[cloud711]

do isopods eat mites as well? im having problem with mites right now.

 

[P. Novak]

so who has some isopods for cheap!??!!!

 

[Digby Rigby]

Mite Munchies for Isopods

It appears that the isopods do indeed eat mites. People who have gotten them notice that the cages withthe isopods dont have nites and that cages without them seem to have more. Whether they actually eat them or just act as some kind of repellant I am not sure either way however the end result is the same no more mites! I sell the orange ones or as I call them screaming tangerine:razz: because they look cool and are captive bred for many generations. Since they are scavengers I dont want to take the chance they have pollutants or other nasty things that can affect animals that might eat them. Others we sell are mini white micro isopods as well as other items of interest.

Digby Rigby

http://exoticfeeders.com the feeder forums

 

[james]

Isopods!!

Well, I keep cultures of grey and orange (started from ORIN) and I've found them to just be cleaners. By this I mean they usually keep a tank pretty clean, but do not eat mites. I know this because my rhino roaches from both Australia and Germany had (have) mites and after months with isopods the mites still exist. I believe these mites to be harmless and part of a natural occurance with these roaches. I know the are other mite eating insects, but I'm just not familiar with the species.
James
www.blaberus.com

 

[Snipes]

are isopods available in the winter? Im thinking of starting a colony.

 

[ScorpDemon]

Well, I keep cultures of grey and orange (started from ORIN) and I've found them to just be cleaners. By this I mean they usually keep a tank pretty clean, but do not eat mites. I know this because my rhino roaches from both Australia and Germany had (have) mites and after months with isopods the mites still exist. I believe these mites to be harmless and part of a natural occurance with these roaches. I know the are other mite eating insects, but I'm just not familiar with the species.
James
www.blaberus.com

You should talk to Graham with Strangecargoinverts.com I believe he was looking into getting some predatory mites a while back for his isopod colonies, and if I'm not mistaken he found some. He might be able to help you out on that.

 

[Vermis]

are isopods available in the winter? Im thinking of starting a colony.

Well, I was turning over stones and logs a few days ago, in search of springtails, and I found more isopods than springtails (a lot more). It was during 'mild' British weather - around and below freezing point.

After reading this topic I might go out and get some. I saw some funky little red ones last time (that I hope are a distinct species and not the result of contamination or disease...).

*One google later...* Androniscus dentiger?

 

[jojobear]

You should talk to Graham with Strangecargoinverts.com I believe he was looking into getting some predatory mites a while back for his isopod colonies, and if I'm not mistaken he found some. He might be able to help you out on that.

Here is a link I got here at Arachnoboards for Hypoaspis sp. predatory mites.

http://www.buglogical.com/catalog.asp?action=showCatalog&typeNumber=15&sectionNumber=33

 

[David_F]

Well, I was turning over stones and logs a few days ago, in search of springtails, and I found more isopods than springtails (a lot more). It was during 'mild' British weather - around and below freezing point.

After reading this topic I might go out and get some. I saw some funky little red ones last time (that I hope are a distinct species and not the result of contamination or disease...).

*One google later...* Androniscus dentiger?

Has anyone here raised Androniscus dentiger? After seeing Vermis' post I looked them up and those are some cool bugs. Are they as easy to raise as Armadillium vulgare? Anyone know how I'd go about getting them here in the U.S.? Would also be interested in info on Philoscia muscorum.

Thanks

 

[Vermis]

I don't know if they're native to the US, but apparently A. dentiger occurs there too.

That said, I collected some of them, and I'm not so convinced I have A. dentiger. They don't seem so red anymore - compared to photos - and they might just be the young of the larger generic woodlice. Although there's considerable size difference between these and the smallest recognisable 'generics', and they're more cylindrical too.
I'll keep 'em, see what they grow into.

 

[David_F]

I don't know if they're native to the US, but apparently A. dentiger occurs there too.

Ah, looks like I've got a bit more reading to do. Didn't realize they could be found anywhere other than the UK and Europe. Thanks for the heads up.

That said, I collected some of them, and I'm not so convinced I have A. dentiger. They don't seem so red anymore - compared to photos - and they might just be the young of the larger generic woodlice. Although there's considerable size difference between these and the smallest recognisable 'generics', and they're more cylindrical too.
I'll keep 'em, see what they grow into.

It'll be interesting to find out what species you've got. Good luck with them and please keep us updated on how they do in captivity. I imagine they're pretty easy to rear but I guess you never know. I haven't started a colony of pill bugs yet. I just have a few in different spider enclosures and, honestly, they're turning out to be more fun than my spiders are.

 

[Vermis]

honestly, they're turning out to be more fun than my spiders are.

Hah, I know the feeling. I've been on a spending spree the last week or two, buying lobster and death's head roaches, and I'm expecting quite a few scorpions and tarantulas (which are late thanks to Royal Mail, incompetent oafs. If any have kicked the bucket they'd better watch out, rant rave etc. But I digress), as well as digging up isopods and springtails etc. Maybe it's the novelty, but I can sit and watch the roaches (the food) for a while, only giving a few glances to my Ts.

But back to woodlice: yeah, it seems less and less likely that these are rosy woodlice. In which case I'm starting to wonder if anyone knows where to find them and if could they send me some...

 

[Gsc]

Yes, I did get predatory mites from online a while ago- I forgit the link but I believe I found it by using the SEARCH tool on this board. They were pretty expensive (~$50 + s/h) if I remember correct.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, but I (along with a few others on here) have the Spanish Orange Isopods for sale. My origional stock came from Orin McMonigle (great guy)... I'm looking forward to those other colored cultures DoubleD's was speaking of....

To help with any mite problems in my roach/millipede colonies, I've just been using the spanish orange isopods...they'll eat about any left over food...from dead roaches/crickets to greens...

 

[yuanti]

I ordered a number of pillbugs a while back from Carolina Biological...I didnt know where else to get them at the time. Only received about 14 of them and over time a couple ended up drowning themselves in some shallow water dishes and a couple just ended up dying for no apparent reason.

I think I have about 4 left and today when I was looking through my scorps tank I noticed some movement around my fogger container. I looked closer and there are about 6-8 very small pillbugs (less than a mm) crawling around. I hope there are more =)

 

[Pyst]

can/will pillbugs do any damage to a molting tarantula ?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

can/will pillbugs do any damage to a molting tarantula ?

I wouldn't think so, since they only seem to eat decaying organic matter and aren't really predators.

 

[Gesticulator]

Although this thread is 2 months old, I still need to ask for clarification. I just started with 100 isopods (thanks Michelle!!!). From the info here, it seems like I can actually out the isopods in with my B dubia colony...is that correct? Also where do I get "rotted" or "dead" wood?