False Wireworms; Julus Worms. Julida. 
Julid^i. 
1, Julus Londinensis ; 2, 3, J. guttatus ; 4, J. terrestris ; 5. horn ; 6, 7, Polydesmus 
complanatus ; all magnified ; and 2 and 6, nat. size.* 
The Snake Millepedes or Julus Worms, sometimes known as 
“ False Wireworms,” are not true insects, inasmuch as they never 
have wings throughout their lives. They remain very much like what 
they were when first hatched, excepting that with successive moults 
there is an increase in the number of their feet, from the three pairs 
they start with, up to a large amount. 
The injury they cause is, however, so very like that of grubs, 
maggots, and wireworms, that they often pass as insects or insect allies ; 
and the amount of harm they do makes it desirable to draw attention 
to them. 
During the last season much harm has been reported as caused in 
various localities by various kinds of these Julus Worms or Mille¬ 
pedes. 
One of the first observations I was favoured with about these pests 
was from Mr. W. Glenny, Barking, on the 17th of May, who mentioned 
that early-sown Scarlet Runners, or French Beans, in cool chilly 
weather, spear very slowly, and, if the land is cold and clung, they 
* Julus guttatus , Fab., J. pulchellus, Leach, the “Beautiful” Snake Millepede, 
may be known by its ochreous colour, with a row of crimson spots along each 
side, excepting near the head and tail. After death this kind turns to a reddish 
purple tint. 
The females of the Julus worms or Snake Millepedes are stated to lay their eggs 
in the ground from about the end of, December until the following May, and young 
Julidce live two years before they are perfect. They are to be found under clods of 
earth and rubbish, such as bricks, stones, and pieces of wood, as well as under bark, 
or in moss, or, in some cases, amongst dead leaves, and they are said to propagate 
most in undisturbed ground. All measures that would remove or break up such 
shelters or breeding ground would therefore be useful. 
