Lithobius crassipes

Lithobius crassipes

Description

A small red-brown species (to 13 mm) which has the antennae composed of c. 20 articles (as L. curtipes). Males are readily differentiated from L. curtipes by the lack of projection on the last legs.

Similar Species

Lithobius curtipes is very similar but has a maximum length of 9mm. Males of this species have a small projection on the hind leg. Also the ocelli are not arranged in rows.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • up to 13mm
  • red/brown
  • 2 pairs of forcipular teeth
  • 20 antennal articles
  • c7 ocelli arranged in rows
Habitat

Found in moist places, such as under logs and stones in woodland or in leaf litter.

When to see it

All year round.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but it appears to be less common in southern England and absent in the extreme south-west of England.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records