Millipedes – Nature Journeys

Pill Millipede Glomeris marginata

This species of millipede looks rather similar to a woodlouse, and this can often lead to some confusion in identification. Its common name refers to its habit of rolling into a tight ball to protect itself from predation and to prevent itself from drying out. It is greyish-brown to blackish in colour, with about 11 tight-fitting calcareous plates running down its body. It has numerous legs.

It feeds on various rotting plant material, and helps to recycle soil nutrients.

A common and widespread species throughout Britain, except the far north where it is absent

10/2010/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Centipedes & MillipedesTags: Millipedes, Nature Photography, Pill Millipede Glomeris marginata, south staffordshire wildlife, Wildlife Photography 30 Comments

White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger

White-legged Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger

Quite a large dark millipede with a length of up to 60 mm (about 2/34 in). They take 2 to 3 years to mature, and can live for several years after first mating.

It can be seen all year round, and is found in gardens, woodlands and anywhere with rocks or rotting trees under which it can hide. Very common and widespread throughout Britain.

10/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Centipedes & MillipedesTags: Millipedes, Nature Photography, south staffordshire wildlife, White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger, Wildlife Photography 12 Comments

Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede

Cylindroiulus punctatus (Leach, 1815)

4 images here portaying this millipede. Growing up to a length of 25 mm (1 in), it has rows of dark spots along its sides. It spends part of its life cycle living in leaf litter, and the rest in rotting wood. Feeding on dead plant matter, it helps with recycling to great effect. It is fairly common and widespread throughout Britain, and is found in woodland and gardens. Double-click images to enlarge.

Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus — Quite an attractive banded millipede, almost like a tightly coiled spring.

09/2009/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: Centipedes & MillipedesTags: Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus, Millipedes, Nature Healing, Nature Photography 9 Comments

Spotted Snake Millipede

Blaniulus guttulatus

This millipede is creamy white or pale yellow and has small red spots down its side on each segment. These spots are the animal’s repellent glands. Its body has around 60 segments. Length 15mm.

It feeds on the roots of various crops, including cereal crops and potatoes, and can be quite a serious pest.

Seen all year round, but more frequent in spring and autumn. It mainly lives in cultivated soil, but it can also be found in gardens and woodland. A common and widespread species throughout Britain, but scarcer in the far north.

Photograph of Spotted Snake Millipede (Blaniulus guttulatus), taken May 2013, found under rotting log, local wood, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2013. Camera used Nikon Coolpix P500.

12/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Centipedes & Millipedes, Nature Photography, Wildlife PhotographyTags: Blaniulus guttulatus, Millipedes, Nature, Nature Photography, Spotted Snake Millipede, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments

Pill Millipede

Glomeris marginata

This species of millipede looks rather similar to a woodlouse, and this can often lead to some confusion in identification. Its common name refers to its habit of rolling into a tight ball to protect itself from predation, and to prevent itself from drying out. It is greyish-brown to blackish in colour, with about 11 tight-fitting calcareous plates running down its body. It has numerous legs. Can be confused with the Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare). Length 13 to 15mm.

They mature when they are around 3 years old, and can live for up to 7 years. It feeds on various rotting plant material, and helps to recycle soil nutrients.

Seen all year round. Found in woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows and gardens, often found under logs or stones, and amongst leaf litter. It tends to be more active at night. A common and widespread species throughout Britain, except the far north where it is absent.

Photographs taken April 2014, local wood, found under log, Staffordshire.