The greenhouse millipede (''Oxidus gracilis''), also known as the hothouse millipede, short-flange millipede, or garden millipede, is a species of

millipede Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a resu ...

in the family

Paradoxosomatidae Paradoxosomatidae, the only family in the suborder Paradoxosomatidea (also known as Strongylosomatidea), is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida. Containing nearly 200 genera and 975 species , it is one of the largest fami ...

that has been widely introduced around the world, and is sometimes a pest in greenhouses.

Description

Greenhouse millipedes achieve lengths of as adults, and widths from . The dorsal section of each segment has a transverse groove, a trait found in most paradoxosomatids. They are brown in color with pale cream-colored legs and paranota (lateral "keels" extending from each segment).

Distribution

Greenhouse millipedes are thought to be native to Japan, but have been introduced globally. They are found in the tropics as well as temperate North and South America,North of Iran, and all of Europe. p. 46-417

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q3887780 Polydesmida Animals described in 1847 Millipedes of Asia Millipedes of North America