Greenhouse Millipede

Scientific Name: Oxidus gracilis

Order & Family: Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae

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

Greenhouse Millipede

Natural Habitat

Damp areas under leaf litter, mulch, logs, and stones, often near human dwellings and greenhouses.

Diet & Feeding

Scavenger that feeds on decaying organic matter, though it sometimes feeds on living plant seedlings and roots in greenhouses.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and slow-moving; they often aggregate in large numbers after heavy rains and curl into a tight spiral when threatened.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans but can produce a chemical secretion that may irritate eyes or skin; ecologically beneficial as decomposers that recycle nutrients back into the soil.

Identified on: 5/29/2026