I know this is some type of millipede or centipede but they are all over my back porch/yard and I am wondering whether or not anyone knows if this is poisonous because I am concerned for my animals. I have other shots of it if anyone thinks it would help, Thanks!!!
This is a spirobolid millipede, possibly in the genus Narceus - see http://tinyurl.com/ydbta2u for an example. Although technically non-venomous, they have glands that can exude a very noxious chemical compound. I can personally attest that it is one of the nastiest tasting substances one can imagine. Some tropical species can 'spray' these chemicals some distance, and these can result in serious chemical 'burns.'
Wow thanks... It did release a liquid when I touched it with a stick and I was wondering what it was because I knew I hadn't hurt it... I am glad that I didn't get any on me!!! Yikes! Thanks again. :)
Ok, I found one of these in my canna lily garden today, are they bad news or good news? I left it alone cause I didn't know what it was and didn't want to kill a good worm???
joy
Millipedes of this sort basically are scavengers on decomposing organic matter, primarily that of plant origin. They will not harm anything in your garden.
Yes I have not had any problems with them either except for looking out to not step on them!!! lol
I checked again this morning and think that perhaps this one is dead, maybe being exposed to the sunlight killed it, it hasn't budged since I saw it late yesterday? Or maybe the cold weather we are getting killed it. I haven't treated my canna lilies with anything yet.
joy
Did you try poking it? These millipedes usually are nocturnal, but I have seen them moving about on cloudy days.
No, that would be my grandson's job. LOL Too bad he ain't here, he lives in NY, he can give you the lodown on any bug, butterfly, moth or worm you run into. I was chasing this butterfly around the yard once with a fly swatter as I didn't want it laying eggs on my canna lilies, and he asked what I was doing, and said that it was an endangered one. I explained and he said I was getting a butterfly net the next day and he laughed and said, granny it lays 3,000 eggs, and then laughed when my eyes got big and said what, and he then told me it'd be too late tomorrow as it'd be in someone else's yard laying eggs. Little imp that one. I asked him where he learns all this stuff and he says the Discovery Channel. LOL
joy
