Myriapods fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are myriapods?

Myriapods are invertebrates with long, segmented bodies and many pairs of jointed legs. They belong to the arthropod group, which means they have an external skeleton, segmented bodies and jointed legs. Myriapods include centipedes, millipedes and tiny soil animals called symphylans and pauropods.

Most myriapods live on land in damp, sheltered places such as leaf litter, soil, under bark, beneath rocks and inside rotting logs. Around bushland, gardens and school grounds they are often found where the ground stays moist and there is plenty of dead plant material or small invertebrate prey.

Centipedes have flattened segmented bodies with one pair of legs on each body segment.

Red-legged millipedes are found in Sydney and have many body rings with many short legs.

How do you know it is a myriapod?

Myriapods are not insects. Adult insects have six legs and three main body parts, while myriapods have many legs and many body segments. Myriapods are also different from spiders, worms, slaters and snails.

A myriapod usually has a long body made of repeated segments, one pair of antennae and many pairs of legs. Centipedes are usually flatter and faster, with one pair of legs on each body segment. Millipedes are usually slower and more rounded, with two pairs of legs on most body rings.

A centipede’s many body segments and many pairs of legs help identify it as a myriapod.

Myriapod groups

Centipedes

Centipedes are fast-moving predators. They have flattened bodies, one pair of legs on each body segment and a pair of venom claws near the head. These claws help centipedes catch prey such as insects, spiders, slaters and other small invertebrates.

Centipedes usually hide in damp, dark places during the day and hunt at night. They should not be handled because larger centipedes can give a painful bite.

Centipedes are predatory myriapods with one pair of legs on each body segment.

Millipedes

Millipedes are slow-moving myriapods that mostly feed on dead leaves, fungi, rotting wood and soft plant material. They have many body rings, with two pairs of legs on most segments. As they move through leaf litter and soil, millipedes help break down dead plant material and return nutrients to the ecosystem.

Many millipedes protect themselves by curling up tightly. Some can also release chemicals that may smell strong or irritate skin, so they should be observed carefully without being handled.

Millipedes help recycle nutrients in leaf litter and soil habitats.

Lesser-known myriapods

Centipedes and millipedes are the best-known myriapods, but they are not the only ones. Symphylans and pauropods are tiny, pale soil animals that are usually hidden in leaf litter and soil. They are difficult to see without magnification, but they are part of the hidden diversity of soil life.

These small myriapods help show that healthy leaf litter and soil habitats support many animals that people rarely notice.

Symphylans are tiny, pale myriapods that live in soil and leaf litter.

What is the life cycle of myriapods?

Myriapods begin life as eggs. After hatching, young myriapods grow by moulting, which means they shed their hard outer skeleton and form a larger one. This is important because their exoskeleton cannot stretch as the animal grows.

Young myriapods usually look like small adults rather than changing through a complete metamorphosis. Some species hatch with fewer legs or body segments and add more as they grow. Many myriapods spend much of their lives hidden in moist soil, leaf litter or rotting wood.

Young myriapods grow by moulting as their bodies become larger.

What adaptations do myriapods have to help them survive?

Myriapods have many adaptations that help them survive close to the ground. Their hard exoskeleton protects their soft body, while their many legs help them move through soil, leaf litter, bark and rotting logs. Antennae help them sense the world around them, especially in dark, hidden places.

Centipedes are adapted for hunting. Their flattened bodies help them squeeze into narrow spaces, their speed helps them catch prey and their venom claws help them subdue small animals. Millipedes are adapted for defence. Many have tough body rings, curl into a spiral or ball, and release defensive chemicals when threatened.

Some millipedes curl up to protect their softer underside and legs.

Why are myriapods important?

Myriapods are important parts of healthy bushland, garden and soil ecosystems. Millipedes and other decomposers help break down dead leaves and plant material. This returns nutrients to the soil and helps new plants grow.

Centipedes are predators that feed on small invertebrates. This helps keep food webs balanced. Myriapods are also food for other animals, including birds, reptiles, frogs, spiders, beetles and small mammals. When leaf litter and logs are removed, many hidden animals lose shelter and food.

Centipedes help to control invertebrates in leaf litter habitats.

How can you help myriapods?

You can help myriapods by protecting the damp, sheltered places where they live. Leave leaf litter, fallen bark, rocks and rotting logs in gardens and bushland where it is safe to do so. These places provide shelter, food and moisture for many small animals.

Planting local native plants can help create shaded, moist areas with natural leaf litter. Avoid using unnecessary pesticides, because these can harm centipedes, millipedes and other helpful invertebrates. If you look under rocks or logs, gently put them back the way you found them.

Bushland habitats provide shelter for myriapods and other invertebrates.

Explore more

Use the fact sheet links on this page to learn more about invertebrates found in bushland, gardens, soil, leaf litter and school grounds.

You can also compare myriapods with insects, arachnids, crustaceans, worms, molluscs and springtails.

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