Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky”

Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky” – Like a glowing forest dweller

Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky” is definitely one of the most unusual Isopods that you can currently keep in a terrarium. Even at first glance, the animals almost look like little fantasy creatures from a tropical rainforest.

The long dark spine structures in combination with the yellow-orange body areas are particularly striking. This creates an extreme contrast that immediately makes the animals stand out.

The light areas appear almost luminous, especially on dark foliage, which makes the name “gloworm” perfect for this species. This is precisely why the animals remain immediately visible, even in densely furnished terrariums.

Spiky texture and intense contrasts

The distinctive dorsal structures make this species particularly interesting. While many tropical Isopods have a rather smooth appearance, the Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky” clearly pronounced “spikes”, which give the animal an almost primeval appearance.

In addition, adult animals develop strong yellow, orange and black tones, which can vary in intensity depending on the humidity. As a result, the effect of the animals is constantly changing slightly and remains permanently exciting.

Each animal has a slightly different pattern and distribution of spines, which means that each group develops its own character.

Active between foliage and wood

Despite their eye-catching appearance, the animals are usually calm and natural. Especially after spraying or in the evening hours, they become more active and roam the terrarium in search of food.

Then they sit between damp leaves, run over pieces of wood or hide deep in the moss again. This is precisely why bioactive setups with this species look particularly lively.

In contrast to hectic species, the Gloworm Spiky tends to move in a controlled and calm manner, which makes them easy to observe.

Terrarium size and set-up

A well-ventilated isopod box or a small tropical terrarium with plenty of hiding places is suitable for keeping them. They work particularly well:

• BraPlast tins
• Isopod terrarium complete set
• Repto Terra Sky

The set-up should be as natural and angled as possible. The following have proved particularly successful:

• Thick layers of foliage
• white rotten wood
• Moss areas
• Cork pieces
• Pieces of bark
• Lime granulate

Darker forest setups bring out the bright colors of the animals particularly well. At the same time, the animals actively use foliage and rotten wood as food and a place of retreat.

Substrate and microclimate

For a stable setup, we recommend a loose mixture of:

• Forest humus
• Fodder leaves
• white rotten wood
• Sphagnum moss
• Lime granulate

This keeps the substrate permanently slightly moist and at the same time loose enough for a stable microclimate.

A permanently damp moss corner has proved particularly successful, as the animals like to use these areas as a retreat. At the same time, the terrarium should remain well ventilated.

Climate and care

For successful keeping, you should adhere to the following values:

• Temperature: 22-25 °C
• Humidity: 75-90 %

The setup should be lightly sprayed regularly to keep the microclimate stable. However, waterlogging should be avoided.

With a GLORIA fine sprayer the moisture can be distributed particularly finely and evenly, keeping the animals much more active.

Feeding

The animals feed mainly on organic material and need leaves and rotten wood on a permanent basis. They also like to be eaten:

• Woodlouse food
• Vegetables
• Cuttlebone

A good supply of calcium supports the development of the exoskeleton and should be permanently available.

Offspring

Under stable conditions Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky” reliable. The young initially hide deep in the substrate and only become more visible later.

Well-established bioactive setups significantly promote breeding, as they provide permanently stable conditions and sufficient food.

Important points on posture

• High humidity is important
• Structurally rich forest setups ideal
• Lots of foliage and wood required
• Good ventilation is crucial
• Particularly exciting structure and look

Suitable accessories for your setup

We recommend a stable and natural setup:

• Fodder foliage – most important staple food
• White rotten wood – Food and hiding place at the same time
• Forest humus – natural substrate
• Lime granules – supports the shell structure
• cuttlebone – additional source of calcium
• GLORIA fine sprayer – Controlled humidity
• Isopod terrarium complete set – ideal for tropical species
• BraPlast tin – perfect for small Isopod species

This creates a calm and at the same time very natural-looking forest setup in which the animals can fully develop their special appearance.

Conclusion

Laureola spec. “Gloworm Spiky” is without doubt one of the most unusual tropical Isopods around. The long dark spines, the bright yellow tones and the calm behavior make this species a real eye-catcher.

If you are looking for a rare premium Isopod with an almost surreal appearance, you will enjoy this species very much.