
Community identification
Flat-backed Millipede
Polydesmid millipede (Species of Polydesmida)
- Order & Family
- Order: Polydesmida; Family: Polydesmidae (commonly)
- Size
- 10 to 40 mm (0.4 to 1.6 inches) depending on the specific species.
Natural Habitat
Damp environments, leaf litter, decaying wood, soil, and occasionally walls or indoor areas during wet weather.
Diet & Feeding
Mostly detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, rotting leaves, and fungi.
Behavior Patterns
Slow-moving and nocturnal; they are characterized by having twenty body segments and flat, wing-like lateral extensions (paranota) on each segment.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits of being decomposers that improve soil quality; they are harmless to humans, though some may secrete defensive odors that can irritate sensitive skin if handled.