Class DIPLOPODA 
Millipedes 
Millipedes are slow-moving, elongate, worm-like organisms, 
usually with 30 or more pairs of legs. They are usually found under 
bark, stones, old boards, or in damp rubbish. Their food consists 
of decaying vegetable matter. The adult has two body regions: 
(1) the head, which bears a pair of short antennae, usually seven- 
segmented; and (2) the rest of the body, which consists of a large 
number of similar cylindrical segments. The first four or five body 
segments are not fused and each bears a single pair of legs. The 
remaining segments are fused into ring-like joints, each of which 
bears two pairs of legs. Spirobolus marginatus Say, one of the 
larger species, is dark brown, narrowly ringed with red, and 
about 100 mm. long. 
Millipedes sometimes become very abundant. At such times they 
may invade camps, old buildings, and residences in large numbers. 
Many species emit a fluid with a cyanide-like odor through open- 
ings along the sides of the body. Removal of moisture and of 
accumulations of vegetable matter from infested areas should be 
helpful in their control. Williams and Hefner (768) discuss many 
of the species occurring in eastern United States. 
Class CHILOPODA 
Centipedes 
Centipedes are worm-like animals, with elongate, flattened seg- 
mented bodies. They have 15 or more pairs of strong legs, one pair 
per segment. The antennae have 14 or more segments, and the 
appendages of the first body segment behind the head are clawlike 
and function as poison jaws. The last two pairs of legs at the 
posterior of the body are directed backward. Centipedes are usu- 
ally found under bark, in rotting logs, or under stones or boards. 
They are swift runners and feed on various small animals such as 
snails, insects, and spiders. All species possess poison jaws with 
which to paralyze their prey. They will also bite man. 
The largest centipedes belong to the family Scolopendridae, 
some of which may be more than one foot long. The largest species 
found in the United States, however, is only 125 mm. long. Mem- 
bers of this family are also the most venomous of all centipedes. 
The bite of the largest ones are not only quite painful but also are 
occasionally fatal (90). The larger and more dangerous species 
are southern in distribution; those occurring in the North are 
usually too small to be harmful to man. Bailey (16) discussed the 
centipedes of New York. 
The removal of debris used as hiding places is helpful in centi- 
pede control. 
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