About Trachelipus rathkii (Brandt, 1833)
Rathke's woodlice, scientifically known as Trachelipus rathkii, grow to 15 millimeters in length. Their bodies are typically slate grey, and often bear pale longitudinal markings that form the appearance of three thin stripes. Females of this species may display orange mottling. T. rathkii has five pairs of pleopodal lungs and two antennal flagellar segments. This species prefers poorly drained, damp habitats and is tolerant of flooding. As a result, it is a characteristic species of riverside meadows and floodplains, where it may even be the dominant woodlouse species. It can also be found in scrub, soft eroding cliffs, gravel pits, and churchyards, where it shelters under stones, dead wood, and bark, as well as within grass litter, grass tussocks, and flood debris.
