Greenhouse Millipede
Scientific Name: Oxidus gracilis
Order & Family: Polydesmida; Paradoxosomatidae
Size: 18 to 23 mm (approx. 0.7 to 0.9 inches) in length.

Natural Habitat
Damp soil, leaf litter, mulch, and under rocks or logs, frequent in greenhouses and gardens.
Diet & Feeding
Scavenger of decaying organic matter and detritus; occasionally feeds on young plant shoots or roots in moist environments.
Behavior Patterns
Night-active burrowers that seek high moisture; they often congregate in large numbers after heavy rains and can secrete a defensive cyanide-based fluid if threatened.
Risks & Benefits
Beneficial as decomposers that recycle nutrients into soil; harmless to humans and pets, though large numbers can be a nuisance in homes or minor pests to greenhouse plants.
Identified on: 2/27/2026