Armadillidium Granulatum Citrus Ghost Isopods

Citrus Ghost is a British-bred morph of Armadillidium granulatum, first developed here in the UK by hobbyist breeder Henry Pearce. It pairs the hardy, granular-shelled body of the Mediterranean pill woodlouse with a soft, ghosted citrus colouring - pale lemon and cream tones that set it apart from the bolder yellow-spotted granulatum lines most keepers will have seen. Being a UK-originated morph, it's rarely available anywhere else, which makes an established colony a genuine find for Armadillidium collectors.

A Glimpse

• Origin: UK-bred morph of a Mediterranean species (captive bred)
• Scientific Name: Armadillidium granulatum 'Citrus Ghost'
• Maintenance Required: Easy
• Average Size: Up to 25 mm
• Rarity: Very rare
• Temperature: 18-28°C
• Humidity: Moisture gradient, damp end around 70%
• Ventilation: Medium-High
• Favourite Foods: Decaying leaf litter, rotting white wood, vegetables
• Supplements: Cuttlebone or limestone for calcium, occasional protein

Citrus Ghost Isopods: Introduction

Armadillidium granulatum is one of the larger and more rewarding Mediterranean pill bugs in the hobby - hardy, forgiving, and a full conglobator that rolls into a tight ball when disturbed. The wild type is a granular grey-brown with yellow markings, and over the years keepers have selected it into a range of striking morphs. Citrus Ghost is one of the newest of those, and one of very few developed here in Britain rather than imported as an established European line.

Henry Pearce is a small-scale UK breeder, and Citrus Ghost is his line - a pale, ghosted take on the species where the usual bold yellow is softened to a diffuse citrus wash over a cream base. I've been keeping inverts for over 23 years, and it's always good to see genuinely new morphs coming out of the UK hobby rather than the same imports circulating; supporting home-grown lines like this is part of why I stock them.

Appearance

Adults can reach the upper end of the granulatum range at around 25 mm, with the finely textured, granular exoskeleton that gives the species its name. The Citrus Ghost colouring is the draw: rather than the crisp yellow blocks of a standard granulatum, the pigment is muted and diffuse - soft lemon fading into pale cream, giving the "ghost" effect. Colour varies across a colony and firms up as individuals mature and moult. Like all Armadillidium, they conglobate fully into a sealed ball when they feel threatened.

Housing and Care

In my experience, granulatum is one of the easier Armadillidium to settle, and Citrus Ghost is no different. This is a Mediterranean species, not a tropical one, so the single most common mistake is keeping them too wet. They want a moisture gradient rather than a soaked enclosure - keep one end damp with sphagnum moss and let the rest breathe. Good airflow is important; I run large vents on every tub, which keeps humidity sensible and mould at bay.

I start all my colonies at 20 or more individuals rather than the usual 5-10 - a larger starting group establishes and breeds far quicker. A deeper layer of nutritious substrate topped with leaf litter and bark suits them, and because they come from limestone-rich scrubland, a permanent calcium source is worth having in from day one for that thick, granular shell. They're comfortable at normal UK room temperatures, with breeding picking up at the warmer end of their range - our companion granulatum care guide goes into the husbandry in more depth.

They'll live happily in a bioactive setup alongside springtails, though like most Armadillidium they have a habit of grazing on live plants and moss, so bear that in mind for a planted vivarium.

Diet

Most of their diet should come from their environment - decaying leaf litter and rotting white wood. On top of that I feed a wide variety across our accessories range, along with the occasional vegetable and a regular calcium source such as cuttlebone, which matters more for granulatum than for many species given how mineral-hungry that granular shell is. A varied diet drives breeding, and steady breeding is the clearest sign of a settled, healthy colony. Everything you need is in our drygoods and accessories collection.

Breeding

Given warmth, calcium, and a varied diet, granulatum breed reliably. Unlike some vulgare lines they reproduce sexually, so you'll need both sexes in the colony - another reason I recommend starting at 20-plus. Females carry their young in a brood pouch and release fully formed mancae, miniature versions of the adults that develop their citrus colouring as they grow. As a new UK line, every colony you establish adds to the small pool of Citrus Ghost stock in the country.

Who Are They For?

Citrus Ghost suits Armadillidium collectors after something new and hard to find, and keepers who like the idea of supporting a home-grown UK morph rather than an import. If you're comparing granulatum morphs, take a look at our best-selling Magic Potion isopods or browse the full Armadillidium collection.

Every colony ships in our double-walled boxes with sphagnum moss, ventilated deli tubs, and a live arrival guarantee - and after 23+ years keeping inverts, I only sell animals from colonies that are thriving here first.