Greenhouse Millipede

Scientific Name: Oxidus gracilis

Order & Family: Polydesmida; Paradoxosomatidae

Size: 18 to 23 mm (approx. 0.7 to 0.9 inches) in length.

Greenhouse Millipede

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