What are some obvious signs of fungal infection on millipedes?

aspenolm

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
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6
I'm noticing whiteish-grey spotting on two of my O. Ornatus (They are very dark brown, so it's fairly noticeable) mainly between the segments focused closer to the head. Is this a fungal infection? They are otherwise pretty active (they are both munching on some zucchini as we speak). If it is what's the best way to treat it?
 

The Snark

Dumpster Fire of the Gods
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
11,486
This is generic info applying to all fungal infections. Others hopefully will have specific info.
If it is a fungus it can be anything from entirely invisible to mushroom like growths sprouting out of the animal. It is also possible it's just foreign materials attached between the segments. Moving the animal to a clean dry enclosure and observe. If the material appears to wear off it's likely just foreign material. If it remains or even spreads it's likely a fungus - mold. Many superficial molds can be controlled by simply reducing the humidity and moisture and observing.
However, if it continues to spread the animal is internally infected and nothing can be done. Fungicides are powerful biocides that will certainly have an adverse effect on the animal.
Cordyceps infection in an ant.
1736809604942.png

The role of a fungus in the environment is to spread, propagate, contributing to breaking down organic material to eventually create nutrient rich soil for other organisms to grow.
 
Last edited:

aspenolm

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
Messages
6
This is generic info applying to all fungal infections. Others hopefully will have specific info.
If it is a fungus it can be anything from entirely invisible to mushroom like growths sprouting out of the animal. It is also possible it's just foreign materials attached between the segments. Moving the animal to a clean dry enclosure and observe. If the material appears to wear off it's likely just foreign material. If it remains or even spreads it's likely a fungus - mold. Many superficial molds can be controlled by simply reducing the humidity and moisture and observing.
However, if it continues to spread the animal is internally infected and nothing can be done. Fungicides are powerful biocides that will certainly have an adverse effect on the animal.
Cordyceps infection in an ant.
View attachment 489419

The role of a fungus in the environment is to spread, propagate, contributing to breaking down organic material to eventually create nutrient rich soil for other organisms to grow.
Thank you, I do already keep them low humidity, but I'll see if I can rig a setup up for the affected individuals (I was planning on upgrading their setup a ton regardless, so if I can go home this weekend I can keep the affected individuals in the old tank to monitor) Here's a picture of one of them IMG_20250113_135031053.jpg
 
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