millipedes

Diplopoda (millipedes) is the largest class of myriapods. It occurs on every continent worldwide, including Antarctica. There are about 12,000 described species of millipedes worldwide, and an estimated 80,000 undescribed species. There are 914 described species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 14 species, probably many more, in Minnesota. They are found in almost all habitats in leaf litter, under the bark of rotting logs, under rocks, and on living trees. Most feed on decaying vegetation, some occasionally feed on live plants, a few are carnivorous.

Millipedes have long, cylindrical or slightly flattened bodies with 20 to 100 body segments. The first four body segments each have a single pair of legs. The last segment bears the anus and has no legs. The remaining segments are fused together in pairs, and each fused segment has two pairs of legs. The antennae are short, elbowed, and usually have seven segments. Few millipedes are predatory and none are venomous. They do not bite.

Sources: 7, 24, 29, 30, 82.

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota