Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2000 13:20:23 EDT From: Biodan@aol.com To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1979$foo@default> Subject: Re: millipedes
Essentially Phil is correct - with a bit of a correction. Millipedes and
centipedes, while arthropods, are NOT insects. This a too common misnomer,
along with 'bug'. To many uninformed (or apathetic) people, any small,
segmented creepy-crawly is a 'bug' or 'insect'. Arthropods include
millipedes, centipedes, spiders, crustaceans (including isopods, aka
pillbugs, roly-pollies, wood lice, sow bugs), insects and others. True bugs
are confined within the Class Insecta, Order Hemiptera or Heteroptera
(taxonomist's disagreement/difference). Some true bugs are plant parasites
(stinkbugs, cinchbugs, spittlebugs, etc.), some are predators of plant
parasites (assasin bugs, leaf-footed bugs, wheelbugs, etc.) and some reduviid
bugs (esp. kissing bugs) transmit disease to humans (Chagas Disease - a form
of trypanosomiasis - which many believe Charles Darwin to have contracted in
South America).
Millipedes, Class Diplopoda, are as described by Phil, as are Centipedes,
Class Chilopoda. As far as the effects on CPs of the last two - and the
initial species of concern - neither should have deleterious effects. The
centipedes may compete with CPs for prey, but occasionally become prey for
the CPs themselves. Millipedes are detritivores and herbivores. They would
dine on decaying CP tissues and possibly could progress to living tissues -
primarily rhizomes and roots. Basically, if you get a few millipedes, don't
worry too much. But, if you get a sudden population explosion you might just
pluck them out by hand (they're harmless although some species emit noxious
and sometimes caustic chemicals as a defense). However, don't pick up a
centipede as some species have venom that can cause extreme discomfort and
pain.
Dan
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