Why Kudzu Is One of the Best Leaves for Isopods

Kudzu is a fast-growing vine that comes from Asia. It was brought to the United States in the late 1800s. People once planted it to help stop soil from washing away. Today, kudzu is known as an invasive plant because it grows very fast and can cover other plants.

For isopod keepers, kudzu has one thing that makes it really useful: the leaves are very thin.

One of the coolest things you may see is a fully skeletonized leaf. This happens when the isopods eat most of the soft parts of the leaf but leave the veins behind. It looks really neat, and it also shows just how fast they can work through a kudzu leaf.

Skeletonized leaves from Ardentiella Tri-color & Cubaris Cherry Blossom

In my experience, isopods seem to absolutely love thin leaves like kudzu. I have seen the same thing with other types of thin leaves too. When they have a choice, my isopods often go after thin leaves much faster than thick leaves.

Magnolia is a good example of a thicker leaf. It has a harder, almost waxy or leathery outside. Isopods will still eat magnolia and other thick leaves, but they usually take longer to break down.

Kudzu is different. Once the leaves are dried and put into an isopod bin, the isopods can work through them very quickly.

Image of dried kudzu

I do not use kudzu as the only leaf litter in my bins. Other leaves are still great to use and can make up most of the leaf litter.

I use kudzu more like a treat.

I will usually take one kudzu leaf, rip it into four or five pieces, and spread the pieces around the bin. This gives the isopods several places to find it. It is also fun to check back later and see how much of it they have eaten.

Because of how much my isopods seem to enjoy it, I sometimes call kudzu the “Golden Leaf” of isopod keeping.

If you’ve never tried kudzu with your isopods, try adding a few pieces to a bin and watch how quickly your colony finds it! Quite a few sellers on Isopod Keepers have it available and it will occasionally make its way to the auctions page! Good luck and happy keeping!

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