Millipedes DIPLOPODA

Don Herbison-Evans (donherbisonevans@yahoo.com ) and Stella Crossley

Brown Millipede
(Photo: courtesy of Marg Smith, Tuggerah, New South Wales)

These are not true Caterpillars, and are not even insects.

head
(Photo: courtesy of Marg Smith, Tuggerah, New South Wales)

Millipedes have have segmented bodies with two legs each side per segment. There are upward of 700 species in Australia, ranging from 10 to 100 segments in length.

Pale Millipede
(Photo: courtesy of Warwick Holmes, Northbridge, New South Wales)

Most species are plain dark brown, but some are paler , and/or have stripes or spots.

Spotted Millipede
(Photo: courtesy of Bill van Hoorn, Victoria)

Their length can be up to 4 cms. When disturbed, they are inclined to curl up in a tight spiral with the head inside.

defensive posture
(Photo: courtesy of Marg Smith, Tuggerah, New South Wales)

Millipedes are vegetarian, and can be pests when they attack seedlings, seeds and fruit, but otherwise are quite harmless.