Miscellaneous Pests - Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - page 428

MILLEPEDES

Family POLYDESMIDAE (flat millepedes)

Millepedes are vegetarian creatures that feed mainly in
the soil on soft, decaying plant tissue and debris.
Although possessing weak mouthparts, millepedes
cause direct damage to plant roots, seeds and
germinating seedlings. Attacked tissue is often then
invaded by rot-inducing bacteria and fungi. Millepedes
also feed on bulbs, corms and other parts of plants,
usually enlarging wounds initiated by pests such as
slugs and wireworms. Millepedes are light-shy; they
tend to be most numerous amongst leaf mould and
vegetable rubbish, and in soil with a high organic
content. Although favoured by damp conditions,
millepedes often cause damage during spells of dry
weather by tunnelling into plant tissue in search of
moisture.

Polydesmus angustus Latzel ( 1144 )
syn. P. complanatus Linnaeus
Flat millepede
An often common millepede, particularly amongst leaf
litter; frequently associated with damage to cultivated
plants in the British Isles and in various other parts of
western Europe. Adults are 25 mm long, flat-bodied and
mainly reddish brown, with 20 rough-textured body
segments.

Family BLANIULIDAE (spotted snake
millepedes)

1143

Blaniulus guttulatus (Bosc) ( 1143 )
Spotted snake millepede
A generally abundant millepede, often causing
damage to outdoor seeds, seedlings and tulip ( Tulipa )
bulbs. Attacks also occur in greenhouses, particularly
on carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus ) roots,
Chrysanthemum stools and Cyclamen corms. Adults
are 8-18 mm long, snake-like, mainly white and
translucent, with a series of reddish or purplish spots
along each side; the body is composed of about
50 segments, most of which bear two pairs of short legs.
Eggs are laid in groups in the soil during the spring and
summer. They hatch into first-stage juveniles that
possess few body segments and just three pairs of legs.
Maturity is reached in about a year, development to
adulthood occurring after several moults at which
additional body segments and pairs of legs are added.
This species lack eyes but the skin is photo-sensitive,
individuals soon becoming active if exposed to light.

1143 Spotted snake millepede ( Blaniulus guttulatus ).

1144

1144 Flat millepede ( Polydesmus angustus ).