Changes

|conservation=

|conservation=

}}

}}

The '''Millipede''' is an [[arthropod]], belonging to the class '''Diplopoda''' (of which there are about  1o,ooo species in all). The millipede has its home in and eats from the rotting bodies of plants--they thrive in moist areas.<ref name="orkin">http://www.orkin.com/other/millipedes</ref> Some species are harmful to living vegetation while others prey on living or decayed animals.<ref name="Britannica">http://www.britannica.com/animal/millipede</ref>

The '''Millipede''' is an [[arthropod]], belonging to the class '''Diplopoda''' (of which there are about  1o,ooo species in all). The millipede has its home in and eats from the rotting bodies of plants—they thrive in moist areas.<ref name="orkin">http://www.orkin.com/other/millipedes</ref> Some species are harmful to living vegetation while others prey on living or decayed animals.<ref name="Britannica">http://www.britannica.com/animal/millipede</ref>

==Behavior==

==Behavior==

Although this may seem impossible without wings, Millipede actually migrate in the fall and sometimes in heavy rain.  When they return, homeowners often find them trying the enter their basements by climbing their foundations, and entering through vents, windows, and doors, sometimes in fair quantities.  They thrive in the damp darkness of basements, but will sometimes come up into residence areas of homes.  For this reason, they are sometimes considered pests. <ref name="orkin">http://www.orkin.com/other/millipedes</ref>

Although this may seem impossible without wings, Millipede actually migrate in the fall and sometimes in heavy rain.  When they return, homeowners often find them trying the enter their basements by climbing their foundations, and entering through vents, windows, and doors, sometimes in fair quantities.  They thrive in the damp darkness of basements, but will sometimes come up into residence areas of homes.  For this reason, they are sometimes considered pests.<ref name="orkin"/>

==Biology==

==Biology==

The group’s typical aspect is its [[diplosomite]]s. Their bodies have about 200 pairs of legs. Each [[diplosomite]] has two legs, with the exception of the legless first section and the next three sections, each with a single pair of legs. Additionally, every [[diplosomite]], with the exception of the first four, has two pairs of [[internal organs]] (i.e., two pairs of [[ganglia]] and two pairs of [[heart]] [[arteries]]). The [[head]] has [[antennae]], [[eyes]] (called ''ocelli''), and one maxilla. The length varies from 0.2 to 28 cm. The amount of segments ranges from 11 to over 100 in certain species. Except for one order, every order of millipedes are covered with calcareous dorsal plates. Instead of biting, most defend themselves by tucking their heads into a tight coil with their outer skeleton shown, while others discharge a poisonous fluid from lateral glands.<ref name="Britannica">http://www.britannica.com/animal/millipede</ref>

The group’s typical aspect is its [[diplosomite]]s. Their bodies have about 200 pairs of legs. Each [[diplosomite]] has two legs, with the exception of the legless first section and the next three sections, each with a single pair of legs. Additionally, every [[diplosomite]], with the exception of the first four, has two pairs of [[internal organs]] (i.e., two pairs of [[ganglia]] and two pairs of [[heart]] [[arteries]]). The [[head]] has [[antennae]], [[eyes]] (called ''ocelli''), and one maxilla. The length varies from 0.2 to 28&nbsp;cm. The amount of segments ranges from 11 to over 100 in certain species. Except for one order, every order of millipedes are covered with calcareous dorsal plates. Instead of biting, most defend themselves by tucking their heads into a tight coil with their outer skeleton shown, while others discharge a poisonous fluid from lateral glands.<ref name="Britannica"/>

==Taxonomy==

==Taxonomy==

===About Other Diplopoda===

===About Other Diplopoda===

The class also includes: the one inch ''Julus terrestris'', a species native to [[Europe]] and brought to [[North America]], and the smooth-bodied forms frequently called [[wireworms]]. A few colorful millipedes have no eyes, such as the 2.5 cm ''Oxidus gracilis''. One of the most common forms is the 10 cm ''Narceus americanus'' found in forests of the U.S. southeast . ''Archispirostreptus gigas'', native to [[subtropical]] [[Africa]], is the largest living species, growing to around 28 cm.<ref name="Britannica">http://www.britannica.com/animal/millipede</ref>

The class also includes: the one inch ''Julus terrestris'', a species native to [[Europe]] and brought to [[North America]], and the smooth-bodied forms frequently called [[wireworms]]. A few colorful millipedes have no eyes, such as the 2.5&nbsp;cm ''Oxidus gracilis''. One of the most common forms is the 10&nbsp;cm ''Narceus americanus'' found in forests of the U.S. southeast . ''Archispirostreptus gigas'', native to [[subtropical]] [[Africa]], is the largest living species, growing to around 28&nbsp;cm.<ref name="Britannica"/>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[category:Invertebrates]]

[[Category:Invertebrates]]