Ant Woodlouse

Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii is a species of woodlouse which is closely associated with ants' nests, particularly those of Lasius flavus, Lasius niger and species of Myrmica, where it feeds on ant droppings or mildew. It is white, 4 millimetres (0.16 in) long, and has a distinctive oval shape and short antennae. Its distribution appears to follow those of the ants with which it lives, and the British Isles are the north-westerly limit of its range. Elsewhere, P. hoffmannseggii extends south to the Mediterranean Sea. It is found outside Europe in North Africa and Turkey, and has been introduced to Australia and North America.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Ant Woodlouse being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Platyarthrus caudatus
• Platyarthrus schoblii
• Platyarthrus esterelanus
• Trichorhina tomentosa
• Platyarthrus costulatus

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Isopoda

Family

Platyarthridae

Genus

Platyarthrus

Species

Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii

More species