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Pest Management Priducts Division of CSPA
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Millipedes
The fossil record indicates that millipedes are one of the oldest land animals; one fossil is dated
to 430 million years ago. They belong to the class Diplopoda, which consists of 15 orders
containing about 10,000 names species and a predicted total of 80,000 species. The principal
orders are the Sphaerotheriidae (pill millipedes), Polydesmida (flat millipedes), Spirostreptida (round millipedes) and Spirobolida (round millipedes). Millipedes occur throughout the USA and most of other parts the world. They have worm-like bodies which are round in cross section.
One of their most distinguishing characteristics is their many legs; 30 to more than 90 pairs in
adults. Each body segment (actually two fused segments) bears two pairs of legs, the exception
being their first 3-4 segments and the last 3, which either lack them or bear only one pair.
Millipede antennae are 7-segmented and their eyes are simple (known as ocelli), clustered in two
areas on either side of the head.
The millipedes life cycles involves internal fertilization, after which the female lays eggs in
clusters of 20-300 in the soil, sometimes within capsules. The eggs hatch after several weeks and
first instar larvae emerge, with 7 body segments and three pairs of legs. Seven to ten molts
follow, each resulting in the addition of more segments and legs. Molting usually stops when
adulthood is reached, which is often in the second year, although some species require 4-5 years.
Millipedes are scavengers, feeding upon damp and decaying wood, other rotting vegetable
material including deciduous leaves and shoots. They will occasionally feed upon dead insects,
snails and earthworms. During dry periods they may feed upon live plants to obtain moisture.
Millipedes will also feed upon their molted skins to retrieve the calcium in them.
Millipedes requite high moisture levels and are therefore found in piles of decaying plant
material such a leaf litter, grass clippings and garden mulch. They are largely nocturnal,
doubtless enjoying the generally higher humidities typical of night time as well as protection
from predators that hunt by day.
Centipedes
Centipedes belong to the Class Chilopoda and occur throughout the USA and the world., with over
3,000 species known. The Chilopoda consist of five orders. Centipedes of the Order
Craterostigmomorpha are only found in Australia and New Zealand. The Geophilomorpha are
long and thin tend to burrow in soil and leaf litter. The Lithobiomorpha is the largest order, with
approximately 1800 species. They range in size from 1/4 to 1 ½ inches in length and the rear-most
pair of legs are greatly elongated. The Scolopendromorpha has approximately 600 species,
including the world’s largest centipede; Scolopendra giganteus, which can be up to 10 ½ inches
long. This species is native to the West Indies and South America, but other, still large, members
of the genus do occur in the southwestern states. Most centipedes in the US are far smaller and the
last order, the Scutegeromorpha contains the species which is most commonly found in the
American home: Scutigera coleoptrata, the common house centipede. This species originated
from Mexico.