Blaniulus guttulatus explained

Blaniulus guttulatus, commonly known as the spotted snake millipede[1] is a species of millipede in the family Blaniulidae that can be found in Central and Western Europe (except for Portugal).[2] It has been introduced in North American countries such as the United States, Canada, Saint Helena, and Tristan da Cunha,[3] as well as Tasmania and Norfolk Island, Australia.[4]

Description

The spotted snake millipede is long and thin, with a whitish or cream-coloured body and conspicuous deep red spots (ozadenes) on each segment. The males are typically 8- long and wide but are sometimes up to long and in width. Females are slightly larger, ranging from 12- by to 9- by . It lacks eyes, and has short setae on the dorsal margin of each segment.[3]

Ecology

This species is common in gardens and cultivated areas in Europe and North America, where it has become nearly ubiquitous.[5] It feeds on sugar beets and other crops, and can become an agricultural pest in prolonged drought conditions.[3] [6] The species spends 3 years as a nymph. Males mature at an earlier stage than females.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jennifer Owen. Jennifer Owen. The Ecology of the Garden: The First Fifteen Years. Cambridge University Press. 1991. 319. 0-521-34335-6. registration.
  2. Web site: Blaniulus guttulatus (Fabricius, 1798). https://web.archive.org/web/20131014033502/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=324989. dead. October 14, 2013. Fauna Europaea. 2.6.2. August 29, 2013. October 12, 2013.
  3. Book: John Gordon Blower. Millipedes: Keys and Notes for the Identification of the Species. Linnean Society of London. 1985. 116. 90-04-07698-0.
  4. Web site: Mesibov. Robert. Robert Mesibov. Millipede species introduced to Australia. Millipedes of Australia. 12 November 2013. November 14, 2013. 14 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224433/https://www.polydesmida.info/millipedesofaustralia/introduced.html. dead.
  5. Hoffman. Robert. Checklist of the millipeds of North and Middle America. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications. 1999. 8. 1–553.
  6. Web site: Dara. Surendra. Spotted snake millipedes in zucchini. Strawberries and Vegetables. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. December 7, 2011.

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