If you raise Trichorhina tomentosa (the famous Dwarf White or dwarf white isopods), you unknowingly own real little living nightlights!
Indeed, the rear of this species of isopod, essential in bioactive terrariums, glows with a bright blue when illuminated with UV rays (black light)! 🧬
📸 The phenomenon is a real challenge to capture in photos and is much more impressive to observe in person, but here are some shots we managed to take for you!
🔬 But why do they glow like this?
It all happens in their cuticle (their shell). It contains fluorescent compounds and molecules capable of absorbing the invisible UV light and re-emitting it as visible light (here, a bluish tint). This phenomenon is also observed in several other terrestrial and marine crustaceans.
What is it for? Although the exact biological function in Trichorhina tomentosa is not yet fully understood by science, several hypotheses exist:
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🛡️ A natural protection against sunlight.
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🦎 A way to divert predators' attention.
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💬 A form of communication or interaction with their peers (although this remains rare in isopods).
