Greenhouse millipede

The greenhouse millipede (Oxidus gracilis), also known as the hothouse millipede, short-flange millipede, or garden millipede, is a species of millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae that has been widely introduced around the world, and is sometimes a pest in greenhouses.[3]

Oxidus gracilis

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Polydesmida
Family: Paradoxosomatidae
Genus: Oxidus
Species:
O. gracilis
Binomial name
Oxidus gracilis
(C. L. Koch, 1847)
Synonyms[2]

Fontaria gracilis C. L. Koch,1847
Paradesmus dasys Bollman, 1887
Orthomorpha gracilis Bollman, 1893
Kepolydesmus sontus Chamberlin, 1910
Oxidus gracilis Cook, 1911

Mating pair

Description

Greenhouse millipedes achieve lengths of 18 to 23 mm (0.71 to 0.91 in) as adults, and widths from 2 to 2.5 mm (0.079 to 0.098 in). The dorsal section of each segment has a transverse groove, a trait found in most paradoxosomatids. They are brown in color with pale cream-colored legs and paranota (lateral "keels" extending from each segment).[4]

Distribution

Greenhouse millipedes are thought to be native to Japan, but have been introduced globally. They are found in the tropics as well as temperate North and South America, and all of Europe.[4][2]

References
  1. "Oxidus gracilis - (C.L. Koch, 1847)". NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life. Version 7.1. NatureServe. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  2. Hoffman, R. L. (1999). "Checklist of the millipeds of North and Middle America". Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications. 8: 1–553. p. 46-417
  3. McCormack, Gerald (2007). "Oxidus gracilis, Short-flange Millipede". Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  4. Blower, J. Gordon (1985). Millipedes: Keys and Notes for the Identification of the Species. London: Published for the Linnean Society of London and the Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association by E.J. Brill. ISBN 9004076980.
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