Millipedes, with their myriad legs and fascinating diversity, are often overlooked in the animal kingdom. These intriguing creatures play crucial roles in ecosystems, aiding in the decomposition of organic matter and contributing to soil health. In this article, join us on a journey through the top 20 types of millipedes, exploring their unique characteristics and habitats.
Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)
The first type of millipede on our list is the giant African millipede. This species is one of the largest millipedes in the world, reaching lengths of up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) and weighing up to 50 grams. They have a distinctive appearance, with a dark brown to black body and a series of bright yellow stripes running along their back.
Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans and are not considered a significant threat to local ecosystems. If you want to know more about this millipede, here are some interesting facts about the giant African millipede.
Portuguese millipede (Ommatoiulus moreleti)
Portuguese millipedes are native to the western Iberian Peninsula in Europe. They have been introduced to several countries, like Australia. They are characterized by their smooth, cylindrical bodies and two pairs of legs on each body segment. Adults are typically 20-45mm long and have 50 body segments when fully developed.
These millipedes are attracted to lights at night, which explains why they often invade homes and gardens in large numbers during autumn and spring. To control invasions, you can turn off external lights and minimize light sources near buildings.
Wandering cherry millipede (Pleuroloma flavipes)
The wandering cherry millipede is a species of flat-backed millipede found in eastern North America. It is known for its wide distribution, ranging from southeastern North Dakota to Connecticut and as far south as North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas. You can see them commonly in Ohio, particularly in the southern part of the state, where it can be found in deciduous forests under logs and leaf litter.
These millipedes are occasionally observed moving in large aggregations of thousands of individuals, earning them the common name “wandering cherry millipede”. They are extremely variable in coloration but often have a bright yellow stripe along the posterior edge of their body segments and yellow legs, resembling the appearance of cherry fruits.
Shocking pink dragon millipede (Desmoxytes purpurosea)
This millipede type is a small, brightly colored species found only in a small region of Thailand. Growing up to 3cm long, it has a vibrant pink exoskeleton and rows of spiny protrusions along its back, giving the species a dragon-like appearance. Despite the small size and bright coloration, the shocking pink dragon millipede has no known natural predators due to its potent chemical defenses. This species was only discovered and described by scientists in 2007, and many aspects of its biology and behavior remain unknown.
Desert millipede (Orthoporus ornatus)
The desert millipede is a small, long-bodied arthropod native to the Sonoran Desert of western North America. The millipede is typically brown or yellow in color and can grow up to 15 cm in length. It spends most of its time burrowed in damp soil or under rocks to avoid the dry heat.
These slow-moving invertebrates play an important role in their desert ecosystems by feeding on dead plant matter and other organic material, breaking it down and recycling nutrients back into the soil. When threatened, desert millipedes can release a noxious, irritating fluid from glands on their legs as a defense mechanism. Despite this, they are generally harmless to humans and are considered a beneficial part of the desert environment.
Smokey oak millipede (Narceus gordanus)
This species, found in the eastern United States, is also known as the smokey ghost millipede. These millipedes have a distinctive green and yellow-banded pattern that darkens with age and can grow up to 11.43 cm (4.5 inches) in length. Smokey oak millipedes are detritivores, feeding on decaying vegetation, fungi, and small insects found in the leaf litter of their forest and woodland habitats. They are generally docile and non-aggressive, making them a popular choice for exotic pet owners. These millipedes can live for over 10 years in captivity and are relatively easy to care for.
Greenhouse millipede (Oxidus gracilis)
The greenhouse millipede is called by different names, such as the garden millipede, short-flange millipede, or hothouse millipede. It’s a flat, narrow species of millipede that is commonly found in humid environments like greenhouses, gardens, and after heavy rains.
They are brown or black in color with pale legs and can grow up to 21mm long as adults. While they tend to enter homes in large numbers, they are useful for plants and not dangerous to humans. You can read more about the garden millipede here.
Vietnamese rainbow millipede (Tonkinbolus dollfusi)
The Vietnamese rainbow millipede is a species of tropical millipede native to coastal areas of Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam and Thailand. These millipedes are known for their vibrant rainbow colors and can grow up to 10 centimeters in length. They have a hard exoskeleton and are omnivorous, feeding on decaying plant matter and small invertebrates. In captivity, with proper care, they can live for up to 5-8 years, making them a popular and attractive addition to vivariums.
Common Asian millipede (Trigoniulus corallinus)
The common Asian millipede is widely distributed in the Indo-Malayan region. It inhabits moist areas, rotten wood, and compost, and is commonly observed in rural and agricultural habitats. The species is native to Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and much of Indonesia. It has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the southern United States.
This millipede is typically around 5 cm in length as adults and has a rigid calcareous exoskeleton. Due to its reddish-brown or coral color, it’s sometimes called the rusty millipede.
Red-legged millipede (Epibolus pulchripes)
The red-legged millipede is a common species of millipede. It is characterized by its bright red color and can grow up to 13 cm in length. These species are found in grasslands, coastal forests, and agricultural areas in Kenya and Tanzania. They are herbivores, feeding on rotting wood, deadwood, and leaf litter, as well as lichens.
American giant millipede (Narceus americanus)
The American giant millipede, also known as Ironworm, giant pink foot millipede, is one of the biggest types of millipedes. It is a common species of millipede found in North America. The species has a distinctive appearance, with a gray or brown body and red legs and antennae. Despite their size, they are slow-moving and docile, curling up when threatened.
These millipedes are typically found in moist areas, such as leaf litter, old logs, or mulch, and are often discovered in decomposing animal matter. They are widely distributed, with populations found east of the Mississippi River and in nine western states, as well as in Canada. They are generally harmless to humans and pets, but may release a defensive secretion that can cause mild skin irritation.
Florida ivory millipede (Chicobolus spinigerus)
The Florida ivory millipede is a large species of millipede native to the southeastern United States. It is characterized by its solid-dark color with lighter underbelly and legs, reaching lengths of up to 3.5 inches. These millipedes are commonly found in wet and decaying forests, particularly in the Florida Peninsula and Panhandle, as well as southern Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. They thrive in humid environments with abundant organic matter, which they feed on as detritivores.
Long-flange millipede (Orthomorpha coarctata)
This millipede species is native to Southeast Asia. They have a slender, elongated body with proportionally long and pointed lateral keels (paranota) on their segments. Males range from 14.5-20.5 mm in length, while females are slightly larger at 16.5-27.5 mm. These millipedes are arboreal, meaning they inhabit and climb trees in their natural tropical rainforest habitat. They have been introduced to many tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Hawaiian Islands, West Indies, Gulf Coast of North America, and Galapagos Islands.
Bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis)
The bumblebee millipede is a popular pet choice due to its striking yellow, black, and brown coloration and low-maintenance care. Native to the Caribbean islands and introduced to the southeastern United States, these millipedes are generally non-aggressive and can be kept in groups, making them suitable for beginners. Adults can grow up to 10 cm in length and live for over 7 years. They require a well-ventilated tank with a substrate that includes rotting wood, leaf litter, and organic topsoil, and can be fed a diet of decomposing plant material, fruits, and vegetables.
Long legged millipede (Telodeinopus autii)
The long legged millipede is also called the Ghana speckled leg millipede or the giant African olive millipede. It has an oblong and cylindrical body, typically 16-18 cm long. The species can be recognized by its olive green coloration in males and brown coloration in females, with alternating white and brown legs. The millipede is mainly found in the tropical forests of west, central, and east Africa.
Flat-backed millipede (Polydesmus angustus)
The next type of millipede is the flat-backed millipede. These small species have a flat, plate-like appearance on their backs, giving them their distinctive name. Flat-backed millipedes typically grow to be 4-5 cm in length and are nocturnal, feeding on decaying plant matter. They are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, most commonly in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Yellow-spotted millipede (Harpaphe haydeniana)
The yellow-spotted millipede lives in moist forests along the Pacific coast from Southeastern Alaska to California. These millipedes are characterized by their black bodies with yellow-tipped keels (extensions on both sides of each segment) and can reach up to two inches in length at maturity.
They are known for their unique defense mechanism, which involves releasing hydrogen cyanide into the air when threatened. This toxin is not harmful to humans but is lethal to many birds and rodents, making it an effective deterrent against predators.
Pill millipede (Glomeris marginata)
This species is one of a kind millipede species. Unlike other species, this millipede doesn’t have a long body. It has a short body that makes it closely resemble certain woodlice, also known as pillbugs or “roly-polies.” It is characterized by its ability to roll into a ball when disturbed, which is a defense mechanism against predators.
Pill millipedes are detritivores, primarily consuming decomposing plant matter in woodlands. They have an overall length between 0.8-2 cm and a width of 4-9 mm. The typical lifespan of the pill millipede is between 5 and 11 years.
Kentucky flat millipede (Apheloria virginiensis)
This species is native to the Eastern United States, particularly in Kentucky and Virginia. They are known for their distinctive appearance, with segmented bodies covered in mottled patches of yellow, cream, and dark brown, giving them a “flattened” appearance. They have at least 20 pairs of legs and an oval-shaped head. Adult millipedes can reach up to 5 cm in length, with females generally smaller than males. They are omnivorous, feeding on decaying plant matter and other organic materials, and are easy to care for.
Thai rainbow millipede (Spirobolus caudulanus)
The Thai rainbow millipede is a highly attractive species with a distinctive smoky blue-grey coloration and subtle red bands on each body segment. The pinkish legs and antennae provide a striking contrast to the body color. Native to Thailand and Vietnam, these millipedes have been popular exotic pets.
Feather Millipede (Brachycybe producta)
Like the pill millipede above, the feather millipede has an unusual look compared to other millipede species. It is characterized by its unique feather-like appendages on its body, which are used for defense and possibly for sensory purposes. These appendages are made up of modified setae (bristles) that are arranged in a specific pattern, giving the millipede its distinctive appearance. The second image in the article feature is the feather millipede. (Source image: onenicebugperday)
Feather millipedes are relatively small, reaching lengths of up to 1 inch (25 mm), and are typically orange or pink in color. They are found in the United States and East Asia, and are known for their unique behavior of males guarding eggs until they hatch.
Red-sided flat millipede (Sigmoria latior)
Last but not least, the red-sided flat millipede. It’s also a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae. It is found in North America. The millipede is characterized by its flat, horizontal paranota on the body rings and rounded corners of the paranota. It has protuberant knobs above the spiracles and lacks spines on the prefemur. The species is known to be highly fluorescent when illuminated with ultraviolet light.
