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Bed Bugs
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Centipedes and Millipedes
Centipedes, many members of the class CHILOPODA
Millipedes, many members of the class DIPLOPODA, including the
Garden millipede, Oxidus gracilis Koch,
Paradoxosomatidae, POLYDESMIDA
DESCRIPTION
Adult -- Millipedes are gray-to-brown arthropods with
worm-like, cylindrical bodies, usually 13 to 38 mm long, with a pair of short
antennae. Adults have at least 30 pairs of legs with two attached to most body
segments. Known as thousand-legged worms, millipedes walk slowly, their legs
moving in a wave-like motion. They curl up tightly when disturbed.
Also elongate and worm-like, centipedes are known as
hundred-legged worms and bear some resemblance to millipedes. They are different
in that they have flattened bodies, a pair of long, slender antennae, a pair of
claws just behind the head, and at least 15 pairs of legs, with only one pair on
most body segments. They also move more rapidly than millipedes.
Egg -- White, creamy yellow, or brown, millipede eggs
are smooth, spherical, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. They adhere in clusters due
to the presence of a sticky secretion. Centipede eggs are similar.
Larva -- Smaller than adults, newly hatched millipede
larvae have only three pairs of legs. Additional legs appear after each molt.
BIOLOGY
Distribution -- Millipedes and centipedes are
cosmopolitan. Millipedes tend to live in dark, damp places, whereas centipedes
usually inhabit places where they can forage for insects. Most of the pests
encountered are millipedes, particularly the greenhouse millipede.
Hosts -- Moist, decaying organic matter is the primary
food of millipedes. Centipedes, on the other hand, prey on insects and spiders.
Damage -- These arthropods are more of a nuisance than
a threat. Millipedes occasionally feed on vegetation. Some species also exude a
venom that blisters the skin and others emit an offensive odor. They do no
significant damage to turf but are annoying when they leave their natural
habitat and invade nearby buildings. Though some centipedes inflict a painful
bite, the species most likely to enter houses does not.
Life History -- The life histories of these pests are
not well-documented. The following information pertains primarily to millipedes,
since these pests are more commonly encountered. In spring and again in fall,
eggs are laid in clusters of 20 to 100 in the soil. Some females deposit as many
as 300 eggs. Larvae emerge 9 days to 3 weeks later. Feeding on decaying
vegetable matter, larvae grow slowly, developing through about 7 instars in 21
to 25 weeks. Adults are relatively long-lived. Millipedes overwinter in the soil
or in other moist, secluded places.
CONTROL
The destruction of favorable feeding and breeding sites is the
most reliable method of millipede control. Thatch should be removed from turf
for millipede control and other reasons. Compost piles, mulches, and low growing
vegetation should be located away from buildings to retard the entrance of these
pests. Foundation walls should be repaired and cracks around doors, basement
windows, and similar openings should be sealed. Millipedes and centipedes are
less troublesome in properly ventilated basements and crawl spaces.
If a general clean-up does not eliminate problems with these
pests, pesticides may be used. Millipedes are controlled by spraying a 5-m band
around the foundations of club houses or shelters. Chemical control of
centipedes occurs only indoors. |
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