SKU: 71974575964

Porcellio Duboscqui Troglophila Isopods

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Description

Porcellio Duboscqui Troglophila IsopodsPorcellio duboscqui 'Troglophila' is a large, hardy, and characterful dry climate Porcellio that makes a genuinely rewarding addition to a collection. Reaching an impressive 2. 8 cm, these are substantial, robust isopods with a muted grey to brown body, a distinctively rough, granulated exoskeleton, and in many (though not all) individuals an attractive red or orange skirt along the body margins. They're active, engaging scavengers, constantly

Porcellio duboscqui 'Troglophila' is a large, hardy, and characterful dry-climate Porcellio that makes a genuinely rewarding addition to a collection. Reaching an impressive 2.8 cm, these are substantial, robust isopods with a muted grey-to-brown body, a distinctively rough, granulated exoskeleton, and — in many (though not all) individuals — an attractive red or orange skirt along the body margins. They're active, engaging scavengers, constantly exploring in search of organic matter, and despite their size and dry-specialist needs they're genuinely easy to keep. For keepers who want a large, distinctive Mediterranean Porcellio that's still beginner-accessible, the Troglophila is an excellent choice.

What makes the Troglophila particularly worth keeping is the combination of impressive size and distinctive looks with easy, forgiving care — provided you understand its dry-climate preferences. They're rated Easy, hardy, and adaptable, suited to both newcomers and experienced keepers, and they bring real presence to a setup. They sit among the dry-climate French and Spanish Porcellio alongside the giant Titan (P. hoffmannseggii), the cave-dwelling P. nicklesi, and the textured P. echinatus.

They're native to France and Spain, inhabiting rocky terrain with dry leaf litter and decomposing organic matter — which directly informs their care. Like other dry-climate Porcellio, they prefer lower humidity (45–55%) with good ventilation, but crucially they still need moisture access; the "troglophila" (cave-loving) name reflects their fondness for sheltered, rocky microhabitats. Like all Porcellio, they cannot conglobate (roll into a ball) — they're flat-bodied, relying on speed and wedging into crevices.

Quick Care Summary

  • Scientific Name: Porcellio duboscqui troglophila
  • Common Names: Duboscqui Troglophila, Troglophila Isopod
  • Family: Porcellionidae
  • Origin: France and Spain — rocky, dry Mediterranean terrain
  • Adult Size: Up to 2.8 cm (28 mm) — a large Porcellio
  • Lifespan: 2–3 years typical
  • Difficulty: Easy — hardy and adaptable, with attention to dry husbandry
  • Temperature: 22–26°C (warm-preferring; keep stable)
  • Humidity: Low (45–55%) with good ventilation — but with moisture access, NOT bone dry
  • Ventilation: High — strong airflow essential
  • Conglobation: No — flat-bodied Porcellio, relies on speed and crevices
  • Behaviour: Active scavenger, nocturnal; appreciates dim conditions and hides
  • Breeding: Moderate — steady colony growth once established

What Makes Duboscqui Troglophila Isopods Special

Several factors make the Troglophila a rewarding dry-climate Porcellio:

Impressive size. At up to 2.8 cm, they're a genuinely large Porcellio — substantial, robust, and with real presence in an enclosure. A group of adults moving around is genuinely eye-catching, and they make a proper display species rather than background cleanup crew.

The distinctive red/orange skirt. While the body is a muted grey-brown that helps them blend into rocky surroundings, many (though not all) individuals show an attractive red or orange skirt along the body margins — a lovely splash of colour that lifts their understated tones and adds genuine visual interest.

The rough, granulated exoskeleton. Their textured, granulated body gives them a rugged, characterful appearance (and helps retain moisture and offer protection) — a tactile, distinctive look quite different from smoother species.

Active, engaging behaviour. They're busy, active scavengers, constantly exploring in search of organic matter — more visible and engaging than many shy species, which makes them genuinely enjoyable to watch.

Large but genuinely easy. Despite their impressive size and dry-specialist origins, they're hardy, adaptable, and forgiving once their dry-climate conditions are met — suitable for beginners as well as experienced keepers. A large, distinctive Porcellio that's also accessible is an unusual and welcome combination.

Thrives where others can't. Their dry-climate adaptation makes them well-suited to arid and Mediterranean-style bioactive setups that would stress humidity-loving species — useful as well as attractive.

How Duboscqui Troglophila Compares to Other Porcellio

If you're choosing between dry-climate Porcellio, here's how the Troglophila fits in:

  • vs P. nicklesi: Both are large, cave-influenced dry-climate Spanish/French Porcellio with similar dry-with-ventilation care. Nicklesi has distinctive long uropods; the Troglophila is granulated with a red/orange skirt. Natural companions in a dry-Mediterranean Porcellio collection.
  • vs P. echinatus: Both have rough, granulated "textured" bodies. Echinatus are smaller "Shark Skin" isopods; the Troglophila is larger with the red/orange skirt. Both hardy and characterful — different sizes, similar rugged appeal.
  • vs Titan (P. hoffmannseggii): Titans are even larger dry-Spanish giants needing the same dry-with-ventilation care. The Troglophila is a slightly more accessible large Porcellio with its distinctive skirt. Both impressive dry-climate species.
  • vs Dairy Cow (P. laevis): Dairy Cows are large, smooth, humidity-tolerant, prolific Porcellio; the Troglophila is a textured, dry-climate specialist. Both large and easy — very different husbandry (moist vs dry).

Browse the full Porcellio collection to compare all species in this genus.

Critical Setup Requirement — Dry, With Good Ventilation

The key to keeping the Troglophila is understanding its dry-climate preferences — but "dry" doesn't mean bone dry. They come from rocky, arid French and Spanish terrain, so they thrive at lower humidity (45–55%) with strong ventilation, and excessive moisture causes problems. But like all isopods, they breathe through gills that need some moisture, so a moisture retreat matters:

  • Keep overall humidity low (around 45–55%) with strong ventilation
  • Maintain one moist area — sphagnum moss in a corner — that the isopods can access to stay hydrated
  • Keep the majority of the enclosure dry, with rocky terrain, dry leaf litter, and hides
  • Provide excellent airflow — strong ventilation prevents the stagnant, humid conditions that cause mould and bacteria
  • Let them self-regulate by moving between the dry areas and the moist retreat

As one PostPods customer noted about following the website's care guidance for dry-climate isopods, proper instructions prevent the most common fatal mistake — too much moisture. If you've kept humidity-loving species, consciously resist the urge to keep things damp throughout. When in doubt, err drier and increase airflow, but always keep that one moist retreat available.

Setting Up the Enclosure

Given their size, provide a roomy, well-ventilated enclosure with space for a growing colony. Cross-ventilation matters: multiple ventilation points on different sides work better than a single mesh lid, helping maintain the dry, fresh-air conditions they require. The 3L Braplast tub suits smaller starter groups; this species benefits from more room as the colony grows.

Recreate their rocky, dry natural habitat: bark, flat rocks, and dried leaves create naturalistic hiding spots they'll genuinely use (reflecting their cave-loving "troglophila" nature). Keep the enclosure dim and out of direct sunlight, as they're nocturnal and appreciate darkness. Browse our accessories collection for appropriate enclosures, ventilation, and other essentials.

Substrate

Use a substrate suited to their drier requirements and burrowing behaviour:

  • Organic topsoil or compost base (pesticide-free) as the foundation
  • Sphagnum moss (concentrated in the moist corner) for the hydration they need
  • Sand for improved drainage and authentic Mediterranean texture
  • Flake soil for added nutrition
  • Pesticide-free hardwood leaves (alder and oak work well) and decaying wood
  • Cork bark pieces and flat rocks for cover
  • Crushed limestone or calcium sand mixed through for calcium

We recommend a topsoil, sphagnum, and sand-based mix rather than coco coir. Substrate depth: 5–8 cm for burrowing. Keep the bulk drier, with one moist corner; don't keep it uniformly damp, but don't let the whole substrate become bone-dry either.

Top layer: A layer of hardwood leaves — alder, oak, and magnolia leaves — plus decaying wood and bark for cover and food. Concentrate damp sphagnum moss in the moist corner only.

Temperature

22–26°C suits their warm Mediterranean origins — keep it stable and avoid sudden swings or sustained extremes. Room temperature in most heated UK homes works toward the lower end; a low-wattage heat mat on the side (never underneath) connected to a thermostat helps maintain steady warmth in cooler homes without drying the substrate.

Diet

The Troglophila is an active detritivore that thrives on decomposing organic material:

  • Primary diet (always available): Decaying organic matter, hardwood leaf litter (alder, oak, beech), decaying wood, forest humus (rich in minerals, aids digestion)
  • Vegetables (occasionally): Carrot, courgette, sweet potato in small amounts. Replace within 24–48 hours.
  • Protein (1–2x weekly): Dried river shrimp, fish food, dried insects — supports growth and breeding. Browse our accessories collection for the full range of protein supplements.
  • Calcium (essential — always available): Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, eggshells. Their large size means significant calcium demands for healthy moulting — provide as a constant source.

Feeding approach: Maintain a base of leaf litter, decaying wood, and forest humus, supplementing with protein and a constant calcium source. Place protein on the dry side, as it spoils quickly in moist areas, and remove uneaten fresh foods within 24–48 hours to prevent mould.

Breeding

The Troglophila breeds at a moderate rate, building colonies steadily once established in stable, appropriate conditions.

Breeding basics:

  • Females carry developing young in a marsupium and release fully-formed juveniles
  • Reproduction is steady rather than explosive — patient, reliable colony growth
  • Juveniles develop the granulated texture and (in many) the red/orange skirt as they mature

For breeding success:

  • Stable, warm temperatures (22–26°C)
  • The correct dry setup with a moist corner (45–55% humidity)
  • Excellent ventilation and generous substrate depth
  • Abundant calcium and regular protein for breeding females
  • Plenty of rocky cover and hides

As a moderate breeder, the Troglophila rewards patient, consistent husbandry with steady colony growth — and a settled colony of large, skirted adults is a genuinely impressive sight.

Pair With Springtails (Carefully)

A modest springtail culture concentrated in the moist corner helps manage mould around fresh foods, without requiring the high humidity springtails typically prefer. In a genuinely dry, well-ventilated enclosure they play a smaller role than in tropical setups, but they still earn their place around the damp retreat.

Who Should Buy Duboscqui Troglophila Isopods?

Ideal for:

  • Keepers wanting a large, distinctive, characterful Porcellio
  • Those drawn to the granulated texture and red/orange skirt
  • Keepers maintaining arid or Mediterranean-style bioactive setups
  • Both beginners and experienced keepers (with attention to dry husbandry)
  • Collectors building a dry-climate French/Spanish Porcellio collection
  • Anyone wanting an active, engaging, visible scavenger

Not ideal for:

  • High-humidity tropical setups (their dry needs run counter to this)
  • Keepers who tend to overwater (they need a mostly-dry setup)
  • Anyone unable to provide strong ventilation
  • Those wanting conglobating ball-rolling species (Porcellio can't roll)

Realistic Expectations

Keep them dry, but not bone dry. Their dry-climate needs run counter to typical isopod advice — they want a mostly-dry, well-ventilated enclosure with one moist retreat. Too much moisture is the main risk, but keeping them completely arid causes desiccation. The balance — dry bulk, one damp corner, strong airflow — is the key.

The skirt varies between individuals. Many show the attractive red or orange skirt, but not all — the body is otherwise a muted grey-brown. Colour and texture develop as juveniles mature.

They can't roll into a ball. Unlike Armadillidium, the Troglophila is a flat-bodied Porcellio relying on speed and crevices for defence. If you're expecting pillbug ball-rolling, this isn't that kind of isopod — but they're active and engaging in their own right.

They're active and visible. Unlike shy species, they're busy scavengers, often out exploring — so you'll see plenty of them, especially in dim conditions and at night.

Breeding is steady, not explosive. As a moderate breeder, established colonies build reliably over time rather than booming — patience is rewarded with a self-sustaining colony of impressive large isopods.

Building Your Setup

A complete Troglophila setup needs a roomy, well-ventilated enclosure, a drier substrate with sand and limestone, abundant calcium, plenty of rocky cover and hides, hardwood leaves, and protein. Browse our accessories collection for everything you need — enclosures, ventilation, leaf litter, calcium (cuttlebone, limestone, eggshells), and protein supplements (dried river shrimp, fish food).

Browse the full Porcellio collection for related dry-climate species, or read our blog post on the different types of Porcellio isopods for more on this varied and rewarding genus.

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4.2 ★★★★★
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Ashlee
Draper, US
★★★★★ 4
A Decent Fae Romance
Format: Kindle
** 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 ** First off I want to say that I found the author, J. D. Linton, on TikTok right before the release of the sequel. I bought the first 2 books to support her release, so congrats to her for the release of the sequel! Overall, I liked the story & plot, I liked the characters, and I liked the spice. The downfalls: not enough development between the characters for the romance, and it leaned a little heavy into the tropes. A lot of stuff is told to you, which could have been used as devices to drive the plot and emotions of the characters. 🛑🛑 Mild Spoilers ahead, I tried to hide the obvious ones 🛑🛑 This is very obviously a fated mates, which is a trope I usually really enjoy. But I wish the relationship between Ara & Rogue had much more development before it's realized that they're mates, instead of Rogue knowing almost immediately and using it for nefarious purposes (at least in the beginning before they get to know each other). By revealing this within the first quarter of the book, I feel like it leaves less room for them to fall for each other organically (albeit with help from the mating bond) and they love each other because of the mating bond. I was disappointed as soon as Rogue know (literally only 5% in) and I literally made a note: "As much as II love a good mating trope, I wish we had to work for it a little more. Where's the fun in just telling us?" I believe that by holding out and feeding the reader snippets of a potential bond, it would've been more rewarding as a reader. I also wish there was more world building - we are told of a war between human & fae but don't get to really experience any of it. Ara is sheltered in her human home, then sheltered in Rogue's castle. There's bits and pieces about what the war has done on either side - but we're more told of the aftermath and don't really experience any of it. Ara's father is supposed to be the king's #1 general - yet he is at home with his family & with Ara for the first couple chapters. Her, her family, nor her village seem to be affected by the 10 year war going on on their borders. I wish there was a little more setup to make this conflict - an actual war - feel more than a skirmish between fighting territories. Linton could also be a little repetitive - with the biggest culprit being when Ara is upset she "brings [her] knees to [her] chest]" and either sits like that or cries. Every time she is upset this phrase is mentioned. I would get it if this was her crutch, or how she copes with grief and stress, but that should be explained why she does it so often or it becomes repetitive. I started to get annoyed with how often she would sit like this solely because it happens every couple chapters. However, I did really like the spice. I love an enemies to lovers trope, especially when it results in spicy scenes. The spicy scenes weren't anything new, but they were fun. Wish there were more but that could also just be me - there is no such thing as too much spice 😂 Would I read again? Probably not, I'm super picky with rereads. Although I did genuinely enjoy my first read through! Will I continue the series? Probably, at least for the sequel. As for #3, kind of depends on where I am with my TBR once that is released All in all an enjoyable, fast paced read
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Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
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Ashton Taylor
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 3
I love indie authors
Format: Kindle
Let me preface this by saying—writing a book is HARD! Coming up with characters so real that they take on a life of their own, building an entire world, the political/magic system. Designing all of this is no easy feat. That being said. This book had so. Much. Potential. I was so excited to read this book, and I plan to finish it for the sake of finishing it. But. At this point, I would have set I’d aside as a DNF. The book could have benefited from some form of a developmental editor, or an in depth beta reader. I will say this. Within 5 chapters, there are so many… phrases that I’ve highlight that I’ve latched onto. Phrases about books and storms that were written BEAUTIFULLY! So, bravo Linton for hitting the nail on the head as to why readers disappear like they do! However, 5 chapters in and I can already guess where a majority of the story is going. But that’s also because I read like a mad-woman and have read this particular type of story, many different ways. Enemies to lovers where the FMC isn’t who she thinks she is. I am all about supporting indie authors. BUT. I also feel like criticism should be constructive, and not degrading. So if I could give this book a 4 1/2, strictly because I know the work the author put into this, I would. So if you’re looking for an easy read with characters that aren’t hard to follow, look no further! They are easy to love and easy to care for. One of the biggest issues they lacked, to me, was depth and plausible reactions to their situations. JD, you have done BEAUTIFULLY writing this book. I applaud and will continue to buy your books in the future. My BIGGEST recommendation is to definitely hire some form of an editor for any upcoming books. Or in turn, I will be happy to beta read for you. Should my opinion change of the book by the time I finish, I will happily get on here and say I was wrong, delete this review and post a different one. Until then…
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Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2022
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Hannah Durham
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
this book set my soul ablaze! <3
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
"i had never really cared about the weather before, but now, clear skies meant everything to me, and i was grateful to see another calm morning." this book. this book! i loved the last storm so much. the writing style. the descriptions. the world-building. the characters. the plot twists. the tropes. the sexual tension. the—everything. everything was magic. the last storm follows our two main characters, ara and rogue, giving us dual POV from both characters (which i loved, btw). ara, a human girl who has been locked away in her father’s estate most of her life, just wants to see the world. all she dreams of is seeing what else is out there. but when her father announces her engagement, she knows that dream will become nothing more than just that—a dream. rogue, the fae king, is tired of the attacks being rained down on his people. in hopes of finding out the human king adon’s secrets, rogue infiltrates auryna’s borders. in his last resort to gain information, he visits the local pub. to his surprise, the general’s precious only child is sitting at the bar, drink round after round of mead. now he just needs to figure out how to take her without anyone noticing. first and foremost, let’s talk about the endless list of my favorite tropes and aspects that this book had. ›› enemies to lovers ›› fated mates ›› one bed ›› the chosen one ›› elemental magic ›› actually good and shocking plot twists!!! ›› badass female lead ›› morally-grey love interest ›› fae/human war ›› force proximity ›› touch her and die ›› who did this to you? ›› captor/captive ›› praise k!nk (panting profusely) “you are entirely the opposite of everything that i am, and i would gladly wear your shackles if it meant i could have you.” it’s been a long while since i read a book i liked this much. but i just loved this book. it set my soul ablaze. thank you to the author for writing this beautiful story and for blessing me with an eARC! i loved it so much that i immediately bought the paperback upon release! every aspect of this book was just beautiful. i was blown away by the way the world was described, the way feelings were portrayed, the way the elements were used in the fae’s magic. it just—AHHH! i just absolutely adored it all. i cannot wait for the second book to release next year! also the way he calls her “little storm” sets my heart on fire. this was a fast-paced read and if you are a lover of acotar, fbaa, deal with the elf king, or any other similar books, then please stop everything you’re doing and read this book right now. you won’t regret it. thank you again, jd linton, for giving me the privilege of reading your arc and for blessing this world with the world you created. <3 "something about him pulled me in, like a moth to a flame, and it felt as if i was just waiting for the inevitable burn that came with flying too close to the fire."
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Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2022
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Sean
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
Fun, both heartwarming and heartbreaking
Format: Kindle
Only my second first person written selection, I am still getting used to that aspect, but unlike my first, I enjoyed that the story was told through both MCs. A great enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fated love etc, that resonated to me. There were some small twists that I could see coming, but also a few that I didn’t quite see until the characters were also seeing. Personally, I am more interested in the story than the spice, but with that said, it was well seasoned! I am kind of new to the spice world so I can’t say for sure how this would rate, but it definitely had some heat. I am very glad I happened across this author, and I do plan on also reading the next book….if nothing else, just to see for myself the “transformation” of the characters I’ve grown to love!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
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Havinne Akins
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
😍😍 BEST DEBUT NOVEL EVER
Format: Paperback
I’m having trouble finding accurate words to describe the way this book made me feel, but I am going to do my best. To start off with basic elements, the character and world building are phenomenal. I feel a strong bond to not only the two main characters, Ara and Rogue, but to each and every character introduced throughout the book. The author did a stellar job of giving each of them unique personhood. All of the scenes are beautifully described. So much so that throughout the entirety of the book, I could see every scene: the towns, the castles, the meadows, the landscape. I have had difficulty with this and with distinguishing between outlying characters while reading in the past, but I did not have to think to remember details of world or character building because they flowed naturally within the story and were described well. I have read book series before that made me want to be a part of that world, but I actually felt like I got to step into Auryna and Ravaryn! The plot twists!! Although this is not a suspense novel, it still had me on a rollercoaster of emotions and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I haven’t cried actual tears over a book since I was in high school (and I’ve read a LOT). This book finally broke the floodgates in the final few chapters. Multiple times. And we love a good cliffhanger. It truly made me FEEL. THE SPICE is a solid 3.5/5. Some of the scenes had me flushed, some had me taking notes, some just had my jaw slack and my mouth hanging open. Bravo, JD Linton, bravo. The relationships: friendships, family, romantic, ALL of the relationships in this book have so much meaning. The author does a great job at making you feel the love, the anger, the peace, the frustrations, the safety, the familiarity, etc. between the characters. Ara and Rogue. I can not say enough and I also do not want to say too much. Just know that I feel like I know them both, to their core. I know what their childhood looks likes, their darkest moments, their biggest fears, their dreams and passions, what they want in life… The POV switches were seamless. I am so happy this author decided to let us see from both sets of eyes. I can not wait for book two after that cliffhanger. And there is SO much potential for at least one prequel, I can’t wait to see where this author goes! I hope this series continues and flourishes. Fingers crossed!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022

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