Centipede vs Millipede: Uncovering Key Differences for the Curious Mind

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When exploring the world of creepy-crawlies, two creatures that often cause confusion are centipedes and millipedes. Although they might seem similar at first glance, these arthropods exhibit distinct characteristics and behaviors. Understanding their differences is essential for identifying and appreciating their unique biology.

Centipedes possess a flat, segmented body with one pair of legs per segment. They are carnivorous and equipped with venomous glands, enabling them to catch their prey effectively. On the other hand, millipedes have a more rounded body with two pairs of legs for each segment. They are decomposers that mainly feed on decaying organic matter like plants.

In terms of mobility, centipedes are generally faster and more agile, while millipedes move slowly and even curl up when disturbed. One key visual difference lies in their legs – centipedes have long, visible legs, while millipedes have shorter ones tucked under their body that are not so noticeable.

Basic Differences Between Centipedes and Millipedes

Body Structure and Segments

Number of Legs

  • Centipedes: Each body segment has a single pair of legs, and the total number of legs can vary from 10 to 100 or more.
  • Millipedes: They have two pairs of short legs on each body segment, and their legs are tucked under the body, making them difficult to see.

Antennae and Vision

  • Centipedes: They have long, sensitive antennae and better vision, which aids in their active hunting behavior.
  • Millipedes: Their antennae are shorter, and they primarily rely on touch and smell for navigation.

Color and Size

  • Centipedes: They are usually brownish, grayish-yellow, or feature three dark stripes and range from 1 to 12 inches in length or more.
  • Millipedes: They come in shades of brown, tan, or gray, and adults are typically 1-2 inches long.
Feature Centipede Millipede
Body Structure Flattened and elongated with fewer segments Rounded with hard external skeleton and more segments
Number of Legs One pair per body segment Two pairs per body segment
Antennae/Vision Long antennae, better vision Short antennae, rely on touch and smell
Color/Size Brownish, grayish-yellow, 1-12 inches long Brown, tan, gray, 1-2 inches long

Habitats and Behavior

Preferred Environments

Centipedes:

  • Prefer moist and dark environments
  • Commonly found under logs, rocks, and leaf litter

Millipedes:

  • Thrive in damp and dark habitats
  • Typically found in soil, decaying plant matter, and under logs

Movement and Speed

Centipedes:

  • Move quickly with long, flexible legs
  • Predatory, rely on speed to catch prey

Millipedes:

  • Move slowly using short legs
  • Scavengers, do not require speed for feeding

Predatory vs. Scavenger Habits

Centipedes:

  • Predatory arthropods
  • Feed on insects and other invertebrates

Millipedes:

  • Scavengers or Detritivores
  • Feed primarily on decaying plant matter

Common Home Invaders

Centipedes:

  • Fast, able to crawl up walls and ceilings
  • Sometimes found in bathrooms due to moisture

Millipedes:

  • Slow, mainly found at ground level
  • Rarely invade homes, but occasionally drawn to damp areas
Property Centipedes Millipedes
Environment Dark, moist Damp, dark
Speed Fast-moving Slow
Movement Crawling Crawling
Feeding Predatory Scavenger
Home Invader Occasionally Rarely

Using brief paragraphs, tables, and lists, we provided a summary of the differences between centipedes and millipedes. Their preference in environments, movement and speed, feeding habits, and the likelihood of being found in a home were key points of comparison.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Centipede Diet

Centipedes are carnivorous creatures, mainly feeding on other invertebrates. Their diet includes:

  • Insects
  • Spiders
  • Earthworms

These predators use their venomous bite to immobilize their prey, making it easier for them to feast upon. Centipedes typically hunt at night, using their sensitive antennae to locate their next meal.

Millipede Diet

Millipedes play a vital role in breaking down organic matter in their environment. Their diet mainly consists of:

  • Decaying plant matter
  • Leaves
  • Dead wood

Millipedes are more of scavengers than hunters, as they don’t rely on venom to procure their food. They help in recycling nutrients, promoting a healthy ecosystem. They are slow movers and are most active at night, hiding under rocks and logs during the day.

Comparison table:

Feature Centipedes Millipedes
Diet Carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates Decaying plant matter and leaves
Hunting Venomous bite to immobilize prey Scavengers, no venom
Activity Nocturnal hunters Nocturnal scavengers

In summary, centipedes and millipedes differ significantly in their diet and feeding habits. Centipedes are predators with venomous bites, feeding on other invertebrates, while millipedes help decompose organic matter and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Eggs and Birth

Centipedes and millipedes have different reproductive strategies. Female centipedes lay around 10 to 50 eggs in small holes or crevices in moist environments, while millipedes lay between 20 and 300 eggs depending on the species.

  • Centipedes: 10-50 eggs
  • Millipedes: 20-300 eggs

Development Stages

Both centipedes and millipedes undergo molting, growing, and shedding their exoskeletons in stages throughout their life.

Centipedes:

  • Centipedes hatch as underdeveloped versions of their adult selves.
  • After hatching, centipedes molt multiple times, gradually increasing the number of body segments and legs with each molt until they reach adulthood.

Millipedes:

  • Millipedes emerge with only a few segments and a small number of legs, gradually developing more segments and legs throughout their growth process.
  • As they mature, millipedes molt and add segments.

Comparison table:

  Centipedes Millipedes
Egg Laying 10-50 eggs 20-300 eggs
Molting/Stages Underdeveloped form Few segments, few legs
Body Segments Increase with molt Increase with molt
Legs Increase with molt Increase with molt
Development Speed Faster Slower

In summary, centipedes and millipedes have distinguishable differences in their reproduction and life cycle stages. Centipedes lay fewer eggs, hatch in an underdeveloped form, and undergo multiple molts. Meanwhile, millipedes lay more eggs, emerge with fewer body segments and legs, and gradually develop more segments and legs as they molt and grow.

Venoms, Poisons, and Defense Mechanisms

Centipede Venom and Bite

Centipedes are predators that use venom to capture prey. Their venom is produced in glands located in their modified front legs, called forcipules. The venom is injected into their prey through a bite, which can be painful for humans and other animals.

Examples of Centipede Predators:

  • Insect predators
  • Small vertebrates
  • Birds

Here’s a brief comparison table between centipede bites and other common bites/stings:

Bite or Sting Pain Level Dangerous to Humans?
Centipede Moderate Rarely
Bee Moderate In some cases
Ant Mild Rarely

Millipede Secretions

Millipedes, on the other hand, are not venomous and have a different defense mechanism. They release chemicals in the form of secretions when they feel threatened. The secretions can be harmless or have different effects, depending on the species. Some may cause skin irritation or even temporary blindness if they come into contact with the eyes.

Examples of Millipede Secretions:

  • Hydrogen cyanide (toxic)
  • Quinones (irritating)
  • Benzaldehyde (noxious)

Pros and Cons of Millipede Secretions:

Pros:

  • Effective deterrent against predators
  • No biting or stinging involved

Cons:

  • Can cause irritation or temporary blindness if accidentally encountered

In conclusion, centipedes and millipedes have distinct defense mechanisms. Centipedes rely on venomous bites, while millipedes use chemical secretions to deter predators. Both strategies provide protection, but with different effects on the animals and humans they encounter.

Notable Species and Types

Amazonian Giant Centipede

The Amazonian Giant Centipede (Scolopendra gigantea) is one of the largest centipede species in the world, found primarily in South America. Some key features of this species include:

  • Length: up to 12 inches
  • Body segments: 21 to 23
  • Legs: One pair per body segment, totaling 42 to 46
  • Color: Reddish-brown with yellow legs

This centipede is known for its aggressive hunting behavior and painful venomous bite. They primarily feed on insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates like lizards.

Giant African Millipede

The Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) is one of the largest millipede species, native to Africa. Notable characteristics of this species are:

  • Length: up to 15 inches
  • Body segments: Around 100
  • Legs: Two pairs per body segment, totaling around 400
  • Color: Dark brown or black

Giant African Millipedes are known for their calm and slow behavior, mainly feeding on decaying plant material.

Comparison Table

Feature Amazonian Giant Centipede Giant African Millipede
Length Up to 12 inches Up to 15 inches
Body segments 21 to 23 Around 100
Legs per body segment One pair Two pairs
Total legs 42 to 46 Around 400
Color Reddish-brown, yellow legs Dark brown or black
Diet Insects, spiders, small vertebrates Decaying plant material

Similarities and Taxonomy

Phylum and Subphylum

Centipedes and millipedes both belong to the same phylum, Arthropoda, and the same subphylum, Myriapoda. This subphylum includes myriapods, which are characterized by their numerous legs and segmented bodies.

Shared Characteristics

Some shared characteristics between centipedes and millipedes include:

  • Both have elongated, segmented bodies
  • Presence of many legs (but differing number of legs per segment)
  • Generally found in moist habitats, such as under leaves or logs

Here is a comparison table highlighting the main differences and similarities:

Feature Centipedes Millipedes
Legs per segment 1 pair 2 pairs
Body shape Flattened Rounded
Speed Fast-moving Slow-moving
Defense Venomous Non-venomous, emit defensive toxins
Diet Carnivorous Detritivorous (feed on decaying organic matter)

While centipedes have a flattened body shape and move quickly, millipedes have a more rounded body shape and move slowly. Centipedes are carnivorous, using their venomous fangs to hunt prey, while millipedes are detritivorous, feeding on decaying organic matter. In terms of defense, millipedes curl up into a tight spiral and emit a foul-smelling toxin when threatened, while centipedes use their venom to deter predators.

Prevention and Control Measures

Keeping Centipedes and Millipedes Out of Your Home

To keep these arthropods at bay:

  • Maintain a clean and clutter-free environment.
  • Seal off entry points like cracks and gaps in doors, windows, and walls.
  • Remove excess moisture by using dehumidifiers or fixing leaky pipes.
  • Clear away leaf litter, rotting wood, or other organic material near your home.

Centipedes and millipedes are usually found in moist habitats under leaves, rotten logs, stones, and boards. Neither carry diseases that affect humans, animals, or plants. However, house centipedes can be a nuisance, as they possess poison glands.

Centipedes Millipedes
Faster moving Slower moving
Fewer legs, one pair per body segment More legs, two pairs per body segment
Carnivorous (feeds on other insects) Detritivores (feeds on decaying organic matter)
Possess poison glands Generally harmless

What to Do if You Find One Inside

If you find a centipede or millipede inside your home:

  1. Capture it using a jar and safely release it outside, away from the house.
  2. Vacuum any others you find to quickly remove them from your living space.
  3. Avoid crushing them, as they may leave stains.

Remember:

  • Centipedes and millipedes are not pests that cause damage to your home.
  • They are a natural part of the ecosystem and can even be beneficial by controlling other insects (centipedes) or breaking down organic material (millipedes).
  • Extermination is rarely necessary, and preventative measures should keep them out of your home.

Fun Facts and Additional Information

Unique Characteristics

  • Millipedes: These arthropods have two pairs of short legs on each body segment, a rounded body, and a hard external skeleton. Their legs are tucked under the body and difficult to see, and they feed on decaying organic matter. Millipedes are most active at night.
  • Centipedes: On the other hand, centipedes have only one pair of legs on each body segment. Depending on the species, centipedes can vary in length from one to 12 or more inches, with the total number of legs varying from 10 to 100 or more.

Record-Breaking Species

  • Illacme plenipes: Among millipedes, the species with the most legs is the Illacme plenipes, boasting up to 750 legs. This is a rare species found only in California.

Comparison Table

Characteristic Millipedes Centipedes
Legs Two pairs per body segment One pair per body segment
Body Shape Rounded Elongated
Diet Decaying organic matter Predatory on other insects and animals

Now you know some fun facts and characteristics of both millipedes and centipedes, such as their diversity in leg numbers, and how they differ in body shape and diet. Who would’ve thought that these fascinating creatures could even be related to lobsters? However, don’t be surprised if you find millipedes or centipedes hanging out in damp, dark places like garages – it’s their preferred habitat! Just remember, their redness doesn’t mean they’re dangerous; in fact, neither centipedes nor millipedes carry diseases harmful to humans, animals, or plants.

 



 



 


Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

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Tags: Millipedes

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