Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 1020944
Compact Flat-backed Millipede
Brachydesmus superusAlso known as Flat Millipede
Compact flat-backed millipedes inhabit damp topsoil and leaf litter, actively breaking down decaying plant matter into nutrient-rich humus. Adults are distinguished from most related flat-backed millipedes by their compact size and 19 body segments rather than the typical 20. Highly adaptable to human disturbance, they frequently thrive in agricultural fields, suburban gardens, and nursery potted plants worldwide.
Soil DwellerDetritivoreTiny
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Decaying leaves
- Fungi
- Rotting wood
Predators
- Ground beetles
- Centipedes
- Shrews
ThreatsIntensive soil tilling, synthetic pesticide application
HabitatsLeaf litter, gardens, agricultural soil, deciduous woodlands
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPolydesmidae
- SpeciesBrachydesmus superus
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
- Finding Them: Turn over damp logs, flagstones, or deep garden mulch in shady spots.
- Handling: Scoop up gently on a fallen leaf to avoid crushing its delicate exoskeleton.
- Observation: Use a hand lens to view its textured, pale brownish body segments.
Co-occurring Species JCoelho / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Co-occurring Millipede (c) Jon Mortin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jon Mortin · 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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