Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 1017419
Greenhouse Millipede
Oxidus gracilisAlso known as Hothouse Millipede, Short-Flange Millipede, Garden Millipede
Greenhouse millipedes thrive in moist soil, leaf litter, and potted plants, feeding primarily on decaying organic matter. Originating in East Asia, these dark brown, flat-backed millipedes have spread globally through the trade of nursery stock and greenhouse materials. When threatened, they curl into a tight coil and release a faint almond-scented fluid containing defensive cyanogenic compounds to deter predators.
DetritivoreIntroducedNocturnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Decaying leaves
- Fungal growth
- Soil organic matter
Predators
- Toads
- Ground beetles
- Centipedes
ThreatsDesiccation and pesticide application
HabitatsGreenhouses, gardens, compost heaps, and damp leaf litter
Life span1–2 years
Classification
- OrderPolydesmida
- FamilyParadoxosomatidae
- GenusOxidus
- SpeciesOxidus gracilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look under mulch: Turn over moist leaf litter, garden pots, or compost to find hidden clusters.
- Observe gently: Avoid crushing them to prevent the release of their mild almond-scented chemical defense.
Order Companion (c) 101595408250610106310, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 101595408250610106310 · cc-by
Related Arthropod (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Kyle Elshoff, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kyle Elshoff · cc-by
Close Relative "Flat-backed Millipede" by treegrow is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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