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CENTIPEDE MILLIPEDE CENTIPEDE MILLIPEDE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- 14 segmented or more 6.Thorax- elongated, flatten, wormlike CENTIPEDE 1.Antenna- 14 segmented or more 6.Thorax- elongated, flatten, wormlike CENTIPEDE
2.Eyes- numerous ocelli 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- numerous ocelli 7.Petiole- none
3.Head- slightly larger than body 8.Abdomen- segmented, forceps at end 4 3.Head- slightly larger than body 8.Abdomen- segmented, forceps at end 4
4.Legs- 1 pair per segment 9.Color- reddish brown 3 4.Legs- 1 pair per segment 9.Color- reddish brown 3
5.Wings- none 10.Other 5.Wings- none 10.Other
Life Cycle Life Cycle
The female lays between 20 and 300 eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs, The female lays between 20 and 300 eggs. Larvae hatch from the eggs,
and go through several larval instars where they keep increasing their 2 6 and go through several larval instars where they keep increasing their 2 6
number of legs and/or segments. After they reach the full number, they number of legs and/or segments. After they reach the full number, they
go through four more adolescent stages to reach maturity, which may go through four more adolescent stages to reach maturity, which may
take a couple of years. Overall, they may live for 5-6 years or more. take a couple of years. Overall, they may live for 5-6 years or more.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
CENTIPEDES Actual size 1 1/2” CENTIPEDES Actual size 1 1/2”
Centipedes vary greatly in length, from 1/4th to 6 inches. The House centipede is 1-1½ inches Centipedes vary greatly in length, from 1/4th to 6 inches. The House centipede is 1-1½ inches
in length, with 15 pairs of long legs. They prefer areas high in moisture, and are most active at in length, with 15 pairs of long legs. They prefer areas high in moisture, and are most active at
night. Some species can inflict a painful bite, injecting venom from the claws. Usually consid- night. Some species can inflict a painful bite, injecting venom from the claws. Usually consid-
ered a beneficial insect, but can invade homes seeking out its prey. ered a beneficial insect, but can invade homes seeking out its prey.

MILLIPEDES MILLIPEDES
Millipedes usually live in and around damp areas, such as garden mulch and under rocks, Millipedes usually live in and around damp areas, such as garden mulch and under rocks,
bark, and other debris. They are mostly nocturnal, and they eat the damp material they live bark, and other debris. They are mostly nocturnal, and they eat the damp material they live
around. During cold weather, millipedes actually burrow into the ground to survive. They also around. During cold weather, millipedes actually burrow into the ground to survive. They also
molt as they grow, adding legged segments to the body each time. Two sets of legs are found molt as they grow, adding legged segments to the body each time. Two sets of legs are found
on each segment. The many species vary widely in length, and some varieties can reach two on each segment. The many species vary widely in length, and some varieties can reach two
to three inches in size. Since millipedes actually eat decaying matter, they are not a plant pest, to three inches in size. Since millipedes actually eat decaying matter, they are not a plant pest,
and are actually helpful to the soil. Under ideal conditions they may develop annoying swarms, and are actually helpful to the soil. Under ideal conditions they may develop annoying swarms,
however. Millipedes have a unique defense mechanism. They wind up into a coil, and emit re- however. Millipedes have a unique defense mechanism. They wind up into a coil, and emit re-
pugnant fluids and odors. Some can even emit small amounts of toxic cyanide fumes. pugnant fluids and odors. Some can even emit small amounts of toxic cyanide fumes.

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