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Millipedes & Centipedes
Latin Name: Spirostreptidae
Common Name: Desert Millipede
Other Names: Orthoporus ornatus
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native species in the southwest U.S.
Biology:
These large millipedes occur primarily in the hotter, drier regions of the south and southwest U.S. They differ from typical millipedes in that they have only a single pair of legs on each of the first five body segments, whereas typical millipedes have 2 pairs of legs on each body segment. They typically are large species that may grow to more than 6 inches in length. They are scavengers that feed on dead plant and animal materials and thus are important in recycling these materials. When disturbed they coil into a tight spiral and may ooze out an oily fluid from glands near where the legs attach. This fluid is foul tasting but also toxic to any animal that attempts to eat the millipede.
Identification:
The mature adults may grow to over 6 inches in length
Latin Name: Oxidus garcilis
Common Name: Greenhouse Millipede
Other Names: Garden millipede
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native species in North America.
Biology:
These small millipedes can be extremely common in landscape and greenhouses, occasionally feeding on live plant materials as well as the normal decaying plant matter. In summer months their populations may swell and thousands may be driven into landscaped areas when their normal habitats dry out, or be flushed out of landscape or turf by excessive watering. They are small enough to easily enter structures but cannot survive inside the structure with its dry conditions. These millipedes are harmless and even unlikely to exude the foul oils of the larger species.
Identification:
The Garden millipedes will normally be no longer than 1 inch. They have a more flattened appearance and the body segments have a rougher appearance. The legs are longer in proportion
Latin Name: Scutigera coleoptrata
Common Name: House Centipede
Latin Family Name: Chilopoda
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
This species is native to Mexico, and is now found in the United States from coast to coast.
Biology:
The house centipede is an eerie-looking animal, with 15 pairs of extremely long legs that give the impression of a feather moving across the floor or wall. It normally occurs outdoors, hiding under materials on the soil in the daytime, but commonly will enter structures, spending most of its time in damp areas around sinks, basements, crawl spaces, or other areas of higher moisture. Like other centipedes it is a predator on insects such as flies, roaches, and spiders, and may even be found around lights, capturing the insects that are attracted to them. The house centipede does have venom, but its stinging apparatus behind the jaws is too weak to be able to penetrate most human skin,
Latin Name: Parajulus sp.
Common Name: Millipedes
Other Names: Thousand leggers
Pest Details
Origin:
Most are native species in North America with at least one introduced species in the Southeast.
Biology:
These large millipedes occur throughout North America in wet to damp habitats. They differ from desert millipedes in that they have 2 pairs of legs on each body segment, whereas desert millipedes have only a single pair of legs on each of the first five body segments,. They are small to large species with some very common kinds maturing at just over 1 inch long. They are scavengers that feed on dead plant materials and thus are important in recycling these materials, but also may feed on some green vegetation. When disturbed they coil into a tight spiral and may ooze out an oily fluid from glands near where the legs attach. This fluid is foul tasting but also toxic to any animal that attempts to eat the millipede.