Ligidium hypnorum

Ligidium hypnorum is a species of woodlouse found across Europe and western Asia. It is a fast-moving, active species that rarely grows longer than. It is dark and shiny, and is similar in appearance to the common species Philoscia muscorum, and also the rarer Oritoniscus flavus. In Great Britain, it was first discovered at Copthorne Common, Surrey, in 1873, and most later records are also from South East England. It is considered a good indicator species for ancient woodland.

Disease

Prior to the recognition of Invertebrate iridescent virus 31 in 1980, blue individuals of L. hypnorum had been discovered, which were interpreted to be new subspecies, and were described as such: L. hypnorum coeruleum Lereboullet 1843 and L. hypnorum amethystinum Schöbl 1861. These cases have since been reinterpreted, not as distinct taxonomic entities, but as historical findings of individuals infected with IIV-31.