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Fact Sheets: Commonly Observed and Asked About Insects and Spiders Found in Alberta

Millipede (Order Julida)

Millipede
Millipede
Credit: Terry Thormin

INTRODUCTION

Millipedes are not insects as is evident by the number of legs they have. All insects have just six legs, and millipedes, depending on the species and how old they are, can have up to 400 legs.

IDENTIFICATION

Although there are only about six species of millipedes in Alberta, identifying them to species is a real challenge, one that is only taken on by the experts. There are two other multi-legged creatures in Alberta that may cause some confusion in identification with the millipede. Centipedes look superficially like millipedes, but have fewer legs and only one pair per body segment as opposed to the two pairs of a millipede. The legs are also longer and the animal moves much more quickly. The Sowbug is not nearly as long, and more oval in shape, and has far fewer legs than the millipede, also having only one pair per body segment. Alberta millipedes only get about 30 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION

Millipedes are found throughout Alberta and most of the world south of the true arctic regions.

TIME OF YEAR

Even at the northern limit of their range most millipedes live to be two or more years old. For this reason adults or near adults can be found anytime from spring through fall.

HABITAT AND HABITS

Millipedes are vegetarian, feeding on a wide variety of plant matter. They do show a preference for decaying plants, probably because their mouthparts are too weak to bite through tough plants. They are not tolerant of direct sunlight and tend to hide in vegetation and under rocks and logs. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, and in southwestern United States they can be found in the desert. There they tend to hide deep underground during the day and only come out at night. Tropical millipedes can get over 30 cm in length.

SIMILAR SPECIES

As stated earlier, identification to species is challenging, a challenge best left to the experts.

COMMENTS

People are often surprised when they find that we have millipedes in Alberta. They are also sometimes concerned about the possibility that they might be poisonous. Millipedes, unlike centipedes, do not use a poison for subduing prey, in fact they are not predators, but rather herbivores. When they get into basements they do not pose any risk to humans or pets.


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 Last update: August 31 2004