Millipedes: North American Natives

[ErinM31]

@ErinM31 I've never kept Harpaphe, but my Apheloria female acted restless and wandered around the container like you described until I put her in a new setup that apparently she liked. Now she, as well as my newer males, are always calm and seem happy, occasionally burrowing in the substrate. I'm not experienced with Harpaphe, but it sounds to me like they're stressing over something.

What was the change(s) between the old set-up and the new? I realize that Harpaphe probably have different preferences than Apheloria (or Pleuroloma), but maybe there is a variable that I am overlooking.

Great photos and congrats on getting your Auturus evides in the mood! I wish you success in finding what works for your Abacion millipedes!

 

[ErinM31]

Erin, yes, I've made the attempt 3 different times. I had limited numbers(8?) of adults the first time 'round but did get offspring. The second time I had around 30 adults and more offspring hatched. Mating was frequent and they would surface at night. The primary thing that I noticed was that the offspring would congregate in a muddy/frassy matrix at the bottom of the tank. I tried to provide at least a few inches of soil depth and attempted to mimic a forest floor with forest mulch collected from where they were found, interspersed with decaying hardwood limbs, rotting leaves underneath the surface layer...mostly a mix of Douglas fir and big leaf maple(more on that in a bit). Eggs are laid singly and surrounded by frass on the decaying limbs, also what is used for molting. I occasionally added water to the soil but was careful not to drown the young...more of a strong mist that would slowly trickle down through the different layers of mulch. If you were to dig a hole next to a tree and examine the layers and how they've degraded over the seasons that would give a fair idea of how to set up a tank.

Just last week I was out camping and they emerged like clockwork both nights after the sun went down. During they day I could only find a couple under logs despite the large numbers at night. Where do they go? I assume they burrow. They did in captivity but no like spirobolids with their obvious tunneling. I did not have good collecting container options with me and lost a few...they will "gas" one another in crowded conditions so space is good. I would estimate no more than 5-8 specimens per gallon. Regarding the plant matter I originally thought that these were found in areas of mixed forests with Doug fir and maple but I've since found them in strictly Doug fir stands and also in logged areas that are within the first few years of recovery. I don't know if this is their primary food source but I've never found them in areas that lack Doug fir.

Here are a couple links, some specific and others more broad on the subject:

https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2013/crain_alex/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/PDF/Occasional_Papers _11.pdf
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/x...7/8435/Baumeister_Nancy_C_2002.pdf?sequence=1
http://www.vmnh.net/content/File/Research_and_Collections/VMNHSpecialPub17.pdf

Thank you so much for the detailed information and links! Wow, this not only goes against what I had learned of Polydesmid husbandry so far, but all millipedes -- conifers! I thought leaves and wood from that family were noxious to arthropods in general. I guess for every rule there are exceptions!

 

[Esherman81]

Now your making me want some lol..hehe

 

[Hisserdude]

Thank you so much for the detailed information and links! Wow, this not only goes against what I had learned of Polydesmid husbandry so far, but all millipedes -- conifers! I thought leaves and wood from that family were noxious to arthropods in general. I guess for every rule there are exceptions!

As long as it is really well rotted, many bugs will eat the stuff. Here in Idaho most of the forests here are conifer forests, lots of darkling beetles and click beetles here that eat the rotten pine logs, and many of the click beetles here are attracted to freshly cut pine wood. Plus there are many metallic wood boring beetles here that live in live conifers. For the most part however, most bugs hate the stuff.

@zonbonzovi, do let us know if you find any Motyxia, they look awesome!

 

[Spidermolt]

I collect and culture native North American millipede species from the wild, and I've developed an appreciation for them. There are many fascinating species that often go unnoticed right in our own back yards.

I'd like to start a thread dedicated to showing and discussing native species and their care, with emphasis on those that are not readily available in the pet trade. I encourage everyone to post pictures, discuss, ask/answer questions, and help me build this thread. Thanks!

I am so happy to see this thread todayy and not because ot the topic if

I collect and culture native North American millipede species from the wild, and I've developed an appreciation for them. There are many fascinating species that often go unnoticed right in our own back yards.

I'd like to start a thread dedicated to showing and discussing native species and their care, with emphasis on those that are not readily available in the pet trade. I encourage everyone to post pictures, discuss, ask/answer questions, and help me build this thread. Thanks!

So from the day I had of exploring around the woods within a one mile radius I feel that even though it may be slightly off topic I just have to say this in this thread...

• I found Narceus americanus in my back yard!!!! meaning that ever since I was born I have spotted them in all of New Jerseys neighboring states except for... you guessed it New Jersey. I know all about them and have had them as pets but until today after 20+ years I finally found a specimen not 300 yards from where I sleep!

 

[Spidermolt]

I am so happy to see this thread todayy and not because ot the topic if


So from the day I had of exploring around the woods within a one mile radius I feel that even though it may be slightly off topic I just have to say this in this thread...

• I found Narceus americanus in my back yard!!!! meaning that ever since I was born I have spotted them in all of New Jerseys neighboring states except for... you guessed it New Jersey. I know all about them and have had them as pets but until today after 20+ years I finally found a specimen not 300 yards from where I sleep!

I also apologize on the sloppy reply because of the technical problems on my side!!!

 

[Harlequin]

What was the change(s) between the old set-up and the new? I realize that Harpaphe probably have different preferences than Apheloria (or Pleuroloma), but maybe there is a variable that I am overlooking.

Mostly, it was giving them a different, deeper substrate and increasing the moisture. From how you described your Harpaphe setup, those probably aren't the factors you're dealing with though. But if they're pacing and trying to escape, I'd say they're definitely stressed. In my experience with Xystodesmidae (how's that for a cop-out ), they're fairly calm and inactive when happy. Mine are now that way, and every time I find them in the wild, apart from night or after a rain, they're the same way. I'm tending to think that's their average/expected behavior.

Now your making me want some lol..hehe

That's awesome! We need more people to become interested in native millipedes, whether keeping them, finding them, or just learning about them!

So from the day I had of exploring around the woods within a one mile radius I feel that even though it may be slightly off topic I just have to say this in this thread...

• I found Narceus americanus in my back yard!!!! meaning that ever since I was born I have spotted them in all of New Jerseys neighboring states except for... you guessed it New Jersey. I know all about them and have had them as pets but until today after 20+ years I finally found a specimen not 300 yards from where I sleep!

Sweet! It's always a great feeling to make a new discovery, especially one after so long a search. Congrats on your find!

 

[Harlequin]

I took a couple minutes of macro video last night of one of my Eurymerodesmus millipedes eating some fish food pellets. It's not very exciting, but it's interesting to see how she eats and how her mouth parts work

 

[zonbonzovi]

Harlequin, IDing is not easy so the fact that you can do the research and look beyond superficialities is great! Xystodemidae is a large group and it's hard to determine which is which without certain characters and collection data. Shelley has some helpful
commentary about flavipes on bugguide if you haven't already seen it.

Erin, I forgot to mention that Harpaphe tend to disappear during the summer months when it gets much over 70F. It may be wise to keep them away from hotspots in your house.

 

[ErinM31]

Yes, the Abacion are very cool millipedes. Very fast runners, almost like a centipede. We have both A. tesselatum and A. texense here, distinguished mostly by range. I found these on the border between ranges, but as nearly as I can tell, they are A. tesselatum. They're the first millipedes I collected, but surprisingly, they seem to be one of the more sensitive species. So far, they've shown no signs of mating or egg laying, so I apparently don't have them in a stimulating environment. They definitely do NOT like water, as most other millipedes do. I usually find them when natural conditions in the wild are on the dry side, and when I mist the ones I have in culture, they sort of go crazy trying to hide. So they're proving to be more of a project than I'd anticipated.

@Harlequin They sound like very unique millipedes! I have no experience with any of the Callipodids. Although you haven't found conditions that stimulate mating, at least they are surviving, so that's a good start! It is painful when even keeping them alive is a challenge. Thankfully, I think I have made it past that hurdle with me E. melacis and just in time too as I can no longer find them in the wild despite the continuing rain. As for my Harpaphe, I agree, they do seem stressed. I just hope they'll be okay for a few more days until I can move them to a new set up that includes Douglas Fir next week. I don't think there's anything helpful that I can do in the meantime. I've made available every potential food that I have access too.

Now your making me want some lol..hehe

If you haven't any millipedes, you should get some! Chicobolus spinigerus is a good choice -- generally hardy and they're often on top of the substrate so you'll see them more. Narceus gordanus are also very hardy -- mine are among the first millipedes I ever kept and have survived all my newbie mistakes. However, they do spend much more of their time in the substrate.

I found Narceus americanus in my back yard!!!! meaning that ever since I was born I have spotted them in all of New Jerseys neighboring states except for... you guessed it New Jersey. I know all about them and have had them as pets but until today after 20+ years I finally found a specimen not 300 yards from where I sleep!

Congrats on your find!

Erin, I forgot to mention that Harpaphe tend to disappear during the summer months when it gets much over 70F. It may be wise to keep them away from hotspots in your house.

Good to know! Thankfully, the AC was fixed before I received them (it was in the upper 80's F that week) and I keep the thermostat in the low 70'sF. I will take the temperature where I am keeping them to make sure it is sufficiently cool.

As long as it is really well rotted, many bugs will eat the stuff. Here in Idaho most of the forests here are conifer forests, lots of darkling beetles and click beetles here that eat the rotten pine logs, and many of the click beetles here are attracted to freshly cut pine wood. Plus there are many metallic wood boring beetles here that live in live conifers. For the most part however, most bugs hate the stuff.

Yeah, whenever something is inedible or even toxic to most species, it opens up a niche for specialists who may even use the poison as their own, like Monarch butterflies.

 

[Harlequin]

Harlequin, IDing is not easy so the fact that you can do the research and look beyond superficialities is great! Xystodemidae is a large group and it's hard to determine which is which without certain characters and collection data. Shelley has some helpful
commentary about flavipes on bugguide if you haven't already seen it.

Thank you! I do use BugGuide a lot for visual references, but I don't think I've read the comments on P. flavipes yet. I'll check into it!

Some of our species are relatively easy to ID because there are only one or two species in the state. Brachycybe is easy because B. lecontii is our only species (although, strictly speaking, there's always the potential for an undescribed species to pop up). But with others, it's difficult to make identifications. Part of that is due to very similar species. For example, this is our checklist for Eurymerodesmus:

E. angularis
E. birdi birdi
E. compressus (endemic)
E. dubius
E. goodi (endemic)
E. hispidipes
E. newtonus (endemic)
E. oliphantus
E. polkensis (endemic)
E. pulaski (endemic)
E. serratus (endemic)
E. varius louisianae

I'm finding it difficult to work with Eurymerodesmus because these are all very similar in appearance, yet the species that are endemic to the state are highly illegal to possess (they're given the same protection as endangered species). To further complicate matters, my pub resources are from C.T. McAllister (Ark-La-Tex specialist), Rowland Shelley, and Richard Hoffman. I've frequently encountered situations where each of these three taxonomists disagree with the others on a particular species, whether it's a new species, a disjunct population of another species, etc. So even if I go to the trouble of finding identification markers on a specimen, the actual taxonomy itself is disputed in many cases.

It can be maddening, but I try to do the best with what I have.

 

[Harlequin]

This past weekend, I went out on my first night collection in a slough near my home. The high areas were recently burned over for undergrowth control, so the ground was easy to see. I didn't take the time to photograph the numerous species of hunting beetles, centipedes, and spiders I found.



I collected 2 large Abacion males, which were the only millipedes I found.

And a couple of bonus photos:


I thought this snail was kind of cute. And he was slow enough to get a decent picture


I didn't expect to find a marbled salamander, but there he was

 

[ErinM31]

I'm finding it difficult to work with Eurymerodesmus because these are all very similar in appearance, yet the species that are endemic to the state are highly illegal to possess (they're given the same protection as endangered species). To further complicate matters, my pub resources are from C.T. McAllister (Ark-La-Tex specialist), Rowland Shelley, and Richard Hoffman. I've frequently encountered situations where each of these three taxonomists disagree with the others on a particular species, whether it's a new species, a disjunct population of another species, etc. So even if I go to the trouble of finding identification markers on a specimen, the actual taxonomy itself is disputed in many cases.

It can be maddening, but I try to do the best with what I have.

Wow, that IS confusing and I no longer wonder why E. melacis is the only species of Eurymerodesmus to have it's own page on BugGuide.net (it is the only species in areas such as south Texas). It seems to me that genomic sequencing might clear things up: Look at different populations of what everyone agrees to be the same species, compare to populations of what everyone agrees to be a different species, and this should give useful parameters to determine whether the unknowns are separate species or populations. Of course some might fall in between, which might be justification for calling it a sub-species or speciation-in-progress.

 

[Harlequin]

Wow, that IS confusing and I no longer wonder why E. melacis is the only species of Eurymerodesmus to have it's own page on BugGuide.net (it is the only species in areas such as south Texas). It seems to me that genomic sequencing might clear things up: Look at different populations of what everyone agrees to be the same species, compare to populations of what everyone agrees to be a different species, and this should give useful parameters to determine whether the unknowns are separate species or populations. Of course some might fall in between, which might be justification for calling it a sub-species or speciation-in-progress.

Yes, that may be what eventually happens, as I've seen them use sequencing in other organisms for classification. I think a large part of the problem is that native millipedes haven't been studied in-depth until the past 50 years or so. Hoffman is considered the leading millipede guy, and he just died a couple years ago. In reading his papers, it's quite astonishing to look back on the history of some of the species classification. In the early 20th century, prior to Hoffman's contribution, there were species listed in completely different genus and family from what they are now, mostly because they just grouped them in with other similar species.

Since it's a relatively new area of study, there's bound to be some volatility to it. In another generation or so of science, they'll probably have it worked out. In the mean time, we'll have to do with what we have.

 

[Harlequin]

Last evening as I was checking my millipede boxes, I discovered this egg mass in my Auturus evides box! They dug this chamber under a slice of potato, and interestingly, it was right under where I'd just fed them some mixed grain flower and fish pellets. That may be coincidence, but I noticed that even though virtually every millipede in the box, even the juveniles, was gathered in or near this chamber, they had not eaten the fish pellets (which they usually eat quickly). It's almost as if they intentionally laid the egg mass near a good food source (another possible stimulus for egg production). There may be other egg masses in the substrate, but I'm not going to disturb it to see. I only came across this one because it's exposed under the potato slice.

 

[ErinM31]

Last evening as I was checking my millipede boxes, I discovered this egg mass in my Auturus evides box! They dug this chamber under a slice of potato, and interestingly, it was right under where I'd just fed them some mixed grain flower and fish pellets. That may be coincidence, but I noticed that even though virtually every millipede in the box, even the juveniles, was gathered in or near this chamber, they had not eaten the fish pellets (which they usually eat quickly). It's almost as if they intentionally laid the egg mass near a good food source (another possible stimulus for egg production). There may be other egg masses in the substrate, but I'm not going to disturb it to see. I only came across this one because it's exposed under the potato slice.

View attachment 211552

That is so awesome! Do keep us updated!

What brand and type of fish pellets do you give your millipedes? The algae pellets I use are enjoyed by almost everything I have that will eat food in such a form -- crabs, urchins, snails, isopods, cockroaches, crickets and even my kitties go crazy trying to get a piece -- but I have yet to see any of my Polydesmids eat any supplemental item, be it pellet, fruit or vegetable.

Thank you!

 

[Harlequin]

What brand and type of fish pellets do you give your millipedes? The algae pellets I use are enjoyed by almost everything I have that will eat food in such a form -- crabs, urchins, snails, isopods, cockroaches, crickets and even my kitties go crazy trying to get a piece -- but I have yet to see any of my Polydesmids eat any supplemental item, be it pellet, fruit or vegetable.

Thank you!

I'll have to check when I get home this evening and let you know. It's nothing special - just a high-protein tetra pellet I got from Walmart if I recall. I'll edit this post and let you know for sure tomorrow. So far, I've seen the
Pseudopolydesmus, Eurymerodesmus, and Auturus eat it fairly well, while the Abacion and Pleuroloma will nibble on it occasionally. My isopods seem to like it really well, too, as do the springtails (which eat just about anything!), but it does sprout mold quickly.


And wow! How many different creatures do you keep??? haha
People accuse me of running a zoo here because I have springtails, millipedes, isopods, and dart frogs.

 

[ErinM31]

I'll have to check when I get home this evening and let you know. It's nothing special - just a high-protein tetra pellet I got from Walmart if I recall. I'll edit this post and let you know for sure tomorrow. So far, I've seen the
Pseudopolydesmus, Eurymerodesmus, and Auturus eat it fairly well, while the Abacion and Pleuroloma will nibble on it occasionally. My isopods seem to like it really well, too, as do the springtails (which eat just about anything!), but it does sprout mold quickly.


And wow! How many different creatures do you keep??? haha
People accuse me of running a zoo here because I have springtails, millipedes, isopods, and dart frogs.

Hmm, I have various Tetra fish pellets too. I will offer it again. Come to think of it, when my Eurymerodesmus melacis didn't touch anything was in the substrate they didn't like so they probably didn't feel like eating anything. I should try it again with them. Same with my Harpaphe, come to think of it; I was trying everything to meet their needs until I could get Douglas Fir. I think they nibbled on an oak leaf but that was it.

Lol, kitties, toads, dart frogs, a marine aquarium, tarantulas and other spiders, beetles, cockroaches, millipedes and isopods (see my profile info for a complete species list!) and then I don't usually count the mealworms, bean beetles and springtails I culture nor the crickets and various larvae I regularly buy as feeders. Lol, it kind of IS a zoo with things all over the apartment based on space, lighting and local temperature. XD I feel like my kitties are more observers and sometimes helpful sometimes not caretakers with me, lol. Like when I was getting out crickets to feed my slings last night and one escaped (a cricket that is) -- no worries, Athena and Hera were right on it!

 

[Walter1]

Here are some photos of a couple of my latest finds -

Polyxenus species, the bristly millipedes, are very tiny (2-3 mm) and are found in various areas in North America. They're really cool. They lack the typical chemical defenses of other millipedes but are instead physically armed with formidable bristles that can detach and entangle would-be predators. (Forgive the picture quality. An iPhone can only do so much with such a small creature!)

View attachment 210935

Narceus americanus, the American giant millipede, one of the more commonly known natives. A walk along the river here usually yields a couple dozen of them, often much larger than this one

View attachment 210936

Hi Harlequin- I see lots of Narceus americanus in the woods, especially now. They are beautiful. How best to keep them?

 

[ErinM31]

Hi Harlequin- I see lots of Narceus americanus in the woods, especially now. They are beautiful. How best to keep them?

I know I wasn't asked, but if I can help, Narceus americanus are one of the more commonly kept, less demanding species. @Cavedweller 's caresheet covers all the basics if you're new to keeping millipedes.