Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Crustacea (Crustaceans) ➔ Class Malacostraca (Malacostracans) ➔ Order Isopoda (Pillbugs, sowbugs, woodlice) ➔ Family Philosciidae

Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)

Moosassel Common Striped Woodlouse

Synonyms and other combinations:

Oniscus agilis C. Koch, 1847 | Oniscus muscorum Scopoli, 1763 | Oniscus sylvestris J. Fabricius, 1793 | Philoscia marmorata Brandt, 1833 | Philoscia sylvestris Latreille, 1804 | Pseudoniscus neglectus Costa, 1882 |

  • Philoscia muscorum 6028
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2013-05-19 16:30:36
    Image number: 6028

    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2013-05-19 16:30:36
  • Philoscia muscorum 6029
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2013-05-19 12:12:57
    Image number: 6029

    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2013-05-19 12:12:57
  • Philoscia muscorum 6030
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2013-05-19 16:27:58
    Image number: 6030

    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2013-05-19 16:27:58
  • Philoscia muscorum 6031
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2013-05-19 16:30:05
    Image number: 6031

    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2013-05-19 16:30:05
  • Philoscia muscorum 9838
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz; 2020-04-22 13:42:30
    Image number: 9838

    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
    2020-04-22 13:42:30
  • Philoscia muscorum 11103
    Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli, 1763)  Moosassel  Common Striped Woodlouse 
    Philoscia muscorum
    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald; 2023-05-22 11:51:27
    Image number: 11103

    DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
    2023-05-22 11:51:27

Distribution:
Europe, North America.
Habitat:
Damp deciduous forests, also in open areas with herbaceous vegetation.
Description:
Body length up to 12 mm; upper side mainly dark brown with variable light markings, smooth, shiny, finely dotted; antennal flagellum with 3 segments.
Similar species:
Philoscia muscorum differs from the similar Philoscia affinis in the pigmentation of the head and body. For a reliable determination an examination of the 7th pereiopod of the male is required.
Another similar species is Ligidium hypnorum of the family Ligiidae. This has an antennal flagellum consisting of 10 - 13 segments.
Biology:
Philoscia muscorum is very hygrophilous and can be found in the leaf litter, in the moss and under wet wood. It feeds mainly on decaying organic material, such as fallen leaves, wood, fungus, algae, dead insects and feces.

References, further reading, links:
  1. Boyko C.B, Bruce N.L., Merrin K. L., Ota Y., Poore G.C.B., Taiti S., Schotte M. & Wilson G.D.F. (Eds) (2008 onwards). (2018). WoRMS Isopoda: World Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans database (version 2017-03-01). In: Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 2017 Annual Checklist (Roskov Y., Abucay L., Orrell T., Nicolson D., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., DeWalt R.E., Decock W., De Wever A., Nieukerken E. van, Zarucchi J., Penev L., eds.). Digital resource at www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2017. Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. ISSN 2405-884X.
  2. Bellmann, Heiko: Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas, Franckh Kosmos Verlag-GmbH & Co., Stuttgart, 3. Auflage von 2006, ISBN 3-440-07025-5