TarantuverseTarantuverse
Log inSign up
← Back to species

Ember Bee Isopod

Ardentiella sp. "Ember Bee"

IsopodintermediateHarmlessCommunal OK

Harmless to people

Isopods are harmless to humans — no venom, no sting, and no bite that breaks skin. They are detritivores, so wash your hands after handling the substrate.

About

A striking, undescribed species sold under the trade name "Ember Bee". It was sold as Merulanella until 2025; breeders now file it under Ardentiella after a 2025 revision of the group (Kästle & Regalado Fernández), though no published description names this form yet. Unlike most isopods it climbs, and young animals can walk up smooth plastic, so use a taller tub with a tight lid. It wants damp, layered forest litter — leaves, moss, lichen-covered twigs, rotting white wood — together with strong airflow; humid AND stagnant is what kills cultures. Feed litter continuously, plus vegetables, a little protein and calcium. Buy CAPTIVE-BRED animals: wild-caught imports often die early, and the 2025 paper notes that some species in this group are considered at risk from collection for the pet trade. Care figures come from a small number of breeders, so treat numbers as a starting point. DETRITIVORE, harmless.

Taxonomy

FamilyArmadillidae
GenusArdentiella
Native regionVietnam (per breeders)
TypeTerrestrial
Temperamentharmless, active, climbs

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to about 0.9 inches
Growth rateslow
Life stagesNo distinct stages

Climate

Temperature66–75°F
Humidity60–75%

Enclosure

Adult sizetaller tub with climbing space and a tight, escape-proof lid
Substratedecaying leaves, forest moss and rotting white wood over damp substrate; cork bark; strong ventilation
Substrate depth2-3 inches
Water dishOptional
Climbs smooth surfacesYes
Moisture gradientRequired — keep one end damp, one end dry

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)
Food & scheduleleaf litter, moss and rotting wood always available; vegetables and a little protein weekly
Supplemental calciumRequired — cuttlebone or a calcium powder

Times kept: 0 · Unverified community entry