A comparative study has been made of the cuticular organisation of isopod wood borer Sphaeroma tcrcbrans, a Iouler Sphaerotna walked and a free living isopod Cirolana fluviatilis, The cuticle of S. tcrebrans shows both structural and chemical peculiarities. In S. walkcri, the cpicuticle contains fuchsinophilic protein and gives evidence of primary tanning. In C. fluviatilis the cpicuticle is similar to that of other isopods ,

Moulting in isopod crustaceans occurs in two phases and the moulting of posterior half precedes the anterior. But in the present study observations were made on Sphaeroma walkeri in which during moulting the cuticle in the anterior haft is cast off first followed by the posterior half.