Bug Identifier
Flat-backed Millipede
Community identification

Flat-backed Millipede

Polydesmida (Order)

Order & Family
Order: Polydesmida; Family: Paradoxosomatidae (common indoor visitor)
Size
10mm to 40mm (approx. 0.4 to 1.5 inches), depending on species
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp environments such as leaf litter, under stones, or mulch; they frequently enter homes through cracks to find moisture.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivores, primarily consuming decaying plant matter, rotting wood, and organic debris.

Behavior Patterns

Slow-moving and nocturnal; they tend to crawl onto walls or floors after heavy rains or during seasonal temperature changes. They do not bite or sting.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by recycling nutrients into the soil; they are harmless to humans, though some species can secrete a mild defensive liquid that may irritate skin or have a foul odor.