Millipedes

Miscellaneous Insects Identifying Insects Pictures of Insects

Millipedes are arthropods in the class Diplopoda, so technically they are not insects.

Most people's millipede knowledge begins and ends with a literal translation of the name, thousand foot insects. Millipedes do have multiple pairs of legs and feet, however none reaches the thousand mark.

The presence of two pair of legs per body segment is the defining characteristic of millipedes around the world. Their close relatives, the centipedes (Chilopoda), are defined as having one pair of legs per body segment.

There are over ten thousand identified millipede species in the world. Twenty two different millipede families have been documented living in the United States.

The yellow-spotted millipede, in the top picture inhabits West Coast forest floors. Like most millipedes, when placed in a possible dangerous situation, they curl up in a ball for defensive purposes.

Be careful around them. Millipedes do not bite, however, the yellow-spotted millipede, secretes cyanide as a defense mechanism.

Centipedes do bite, and for most people, it's probably not worth the time to pick up an arthropod and examine the leg structure to determine if it is a biting centipede or a non-biting millipede.

© 2005 Patricia A. Michaels