Lemon Spiky

Lemon Spiky Isopods (Laureola sp. “Lemon Spiky”)

The Lemon Spiky isopod is a terrestrial isopod associated with Vietnam and sold under the trade name Laureola sp. “Lemon Spiky.” It has a yellow to lemon-yellow body with a heavily textured exoskeleton covered in prominent projections. It is a surface-dwelling isopod that spends much of its time on bark, moss, and leaf cover rather than burrowing into the substrate. Its formal species-level identity has not been established in the available references.

Care Information

• Humidity: Requires high humidity, with a moisture gradient that includes a damp area and a drier zone.

• Ventilation: Good airflow is important; cross-ventilation helps prevent stagnant conditions while maintaining moisture.

• Enclosure: Use a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with ample surface area for climbing and hiding.

• Substrate: Provide organic substrate, leaf litter, and a damp area containing sphagnum moss. Deep substrate is less important than accessible surface cover for this non-burrowing species.

• Diet: Decaying leaves and other decomposing organic matter can form part of the diet. Specialist keepers also report feeding lichen-covered sticks.

• Temperature: Approximately 72–80°F (22–27°C), according to one specialist care guide.

• Habitat structure: Include thin bark pieces, cork bark, moss, and white oak leaf litter to provide cover and climbing surfaces.

• Adult size: A reliable, specific adult measurement was not available in the references reviewed.

• Breeding: Reported to reproduce slowly in captivity.

• Care level: Commonly listed as intermediate by specialist sellers; difficulty ratings are not standardized.