University of Kentucky Entomology/Kentucky Critter Files/Kentucky Millipedes
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Kentucky Millipedes Milliipede
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KENTUCKY MILLIPEDES
Critter Files/Millipedes
By Blake Newton
University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology

Common Kentucky Millipedes:
 
TAXONOMY
KINGDOM: Animalia | PHYLUM: Arthropoda | CLASS: Diplopoda (Millipedes)
ORDERS: Polydesmida, Spirobolida, Cambalida, others
 
WHAT IS A MILLIPEDE?
LIFE CYCLE
ECOLOGY
PEST STATUS
COMMON KENTUCKY MILLIPEDES
COLLECTING & PHOTOGRAPHY
MILLIIPEDE FACTS
MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND FOLKLORE
 
WHAT IS A MILLIPEDE?

Millipedes are long, multi-segmented arthropods that resemble centipedes, but centipedes have only 1 pair of legs on each segment, while millipedes have 2 legs on most segments.  Millipedes also lack the venomous front legs of centipedes.  Millipedes also resemble insects, but insects always have only 3 body segments and 6 legs.  Millipedes have one pair of antennae and chewing mouthparts.

SIZE: Body length up to about 4" (10 cm) for Kentucky millipedes
 
LIFE CYCLE

Millipedes have incomplete metamorphosis: young millipedes hatch from eggs and resemble small versions of adult millipedes.  Millipedes shed their skin (called "molting") as they grow, usually adding legs each time they molt.

 
ECOLOGY

Millipedes are common in soil, under rocks, and in other dark, moist places.  Millipedes cannot move very fast, and most species feed on decaying plant material.  Millipedes do not have venomous stingers or fangs, but some of them can secrete bad-smelling and bad-tasting chemicals from pores in the sides of their bodies.  These chemicals help keep many predators away.  Despite this defense, millipedes are often eaten by centipedes, spiders, and predatory insects.

 
PEST STATUS
Millipedes are often seen in homes, but they are not dangerous to people or animals and do not damage human possessions.
For more information about pest millipedes, read our ENTfact: Millipedes.
 
COMMON KENTUCKY MILLIPEDES

SPIROBOLID MILLIPEDES
ORDER: Spirobolida

Spirobolid millipedes are cylindrical in shape and very slow-moving.  They are common in a variety of habitats, including gardens and forests or any place with shade and moist soil.
   
North American Millipede
North American Millipede (B. Newton, 2002)
 A 4" Spirobolid millipede is common in the forests of Eastern Kentucky.  It is black with purple and red markings, and is sometimes called the "North American Millipede," Narceus americanus.  It is the largest millipede in Kentucky.  Hikers in the Red River Gorge and surrounding areas often see this impressive creature.  
 

The North American millipede is also sometimes called the "pink millipede" and the "eastern red-ribbed millipede."  The one pictured was photographed in the Laurel River Lake region of Kentucky.

Shown below is a newly molted North American Millipede.

FLAT MILLIPEDES
ORDER: Polydesmida
Most common millipedes are cylindrical, but millipedes in the order Polydesmida are flattened.  Common species are black with yellow or orange markings.  The 3 species pictured below are found in Eastern Kentucky forests.  Millipedes like the one pictured below right are sometimes called "flat-backed millipedes."
 
Flat Millipedes
Flat Millipede (B. Newton, 2002)
Flat-Backed Millipede
Flat-Backed Millipede (B. Newton, 2005)
Flat Millipede
Flat Millipede (R. Bessin, 2002)
 
COLLECTING & PHOTOGRAPHY

Millipedes are found underneath logs, rocks, or mats of dead leaves. They are best preserved in alcohol.  Be careful when you pick one up: they can secrete a fluid that will stain your hands and clothes.

Millipedes move slowly, and it is usually easy to get a good picture.  Be patient when photographing millipedes, though.  When a millipede is first "discovered" underneath a rock or a log, it will usually curl up in a ball.  If you want a picture of an uncurled millipede, just wait for a minute or two, and the millipede will begin moving.

 
MILLIPEDE FACTS

Although millipedes in Kentucky are small, some tropical species can grow to a foot in length.

Millipedes and centipedes are believed to be more closely related to insects than to spiders and other arachnids.

 
MYTHS - LEGENDS - FOLKLORE

It is often said that millipedes have "1000 legs," especially since the word "millipede" means "1000 feet."  But most millipedes have only a few hundred legs, or even less than that.  The largest millipedes have about 750 legs.

In the old days, it was believed that if you allowed a millipede to "count your teeth," you would die soon after. So never grin at a millipede!


Original document: 25 May 2004
Last updated: 27 Jan 2012

The Kentucky Critter Files are maintained by Blake Newton, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky.
Contact: blaken@uky.edu

   
University of Kentucky Entomology/Kentucky Critter Files/Kentucky Millipedes