23-9-2024 VILLALONGA CAMPO, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

Ommatoiulus rutilans (C. L. Koch, 1847) Common name “Millipede”

Length 1.5 to 38mm.

Average lifespan 7 years

Widespread in Spain and into the mid, east and south of Europe.

Millipedes have an Omnivore diet, (both plant and animal matter are eaten) mainly feeding on detritus (decaying plant matter).

Diplopods (known scientifically as the class Diplopoda) are a class of myriads commonly known as “millipedes” (Latin name for a thousand feet) although the maximum number of legs on a millipede recorded does not exceed 750, ( The 750 record goes to the species named “Illacme plenipes”) most millipedes have less than 200.

Although millipedes are sometimes mistaken for their relatives, the centipede. Centipedes belong to a different class. Millipedes differ from them, mainly, in that almost all segments of the trunk have two pairs of legs, while centipedes have only one pair per segment.

Millipedes, are vulnerable to many kinds of predators. It does have a defence mechanism, by curling up rapidly into a spiral and also releasing a pungent smelling liquid. This deters many animals, so as to let the millipede go.

Millipedes are important recyclers because they return chemicals to the soil, for plants to use again. But for the gardener millipedes are mainly regarded as a pest.

The female usually lays her eggs concealed on the ground, in amongst or under decaying decomposing leaves and wood. The larvae will moult eight to twelve times before becoming adult. They will live under stones, rocks, fallen leaves and in crevasses of decaying wood. They can live in damp and arid areas, but cannot survive the dry atmosphere found inside many buildings.

19-9-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

Present in dry areas where the influence of the river does not reach. VULGAR NAME Cardador, millipede.

DESCRIPTION Up to 6 cm. Brownish-gray to dark brown in color, with short antennae; cylindrical body, with more than 40 rings; with 2 pairs of legs per segment except in the first ones; male with hooked front legs; solenomerite with a seminal groove and a cavity at the base. Ommatoiulus rutilans (C.L. Koch, 1847) 

When disturbed, the carder curls up forming a spiral in order to cover its soft, much more vulnerable parts, releasing a repellent wine-colored liquid. Sperm transfer can be direct or indirect, and the sperm, in most cases, is stored in the spermathecae or seminal receptacles possessed by the female, who will choose the moment of fertilization. Once fertilized, she will form eggs and bury them in galleries in the ground. After hatching, the neonates have three or six very short segments, going through numerous molts before reaching adulthood. Its detritivore and decomposer habits and its ability to create galleries and stir the soil, aerating it and promoting the oxidation of organic matter, make it appreciated by organic farmers where worms cannot live.

18-4-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/371572-Ommatoiulus-rutilans

Ommatoiulus is a genus of millipedes in the family Julidae.

The taxonomy of the genus has had a complicated history. As it stands now, there are approximately 60 described species, but this is likely to change. At least 10 new species were described in 2012, and those just from Spain. Six new species were described from Portugal in 2017. There are many millipedes known to belong to this genus that do not yet have official names.

21-2-2022 PINET, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

aturalist.org/taxa/371572-Ommatoiulus-rutilans/browse_photos

23-9-2020 MOROS MARJAL, SAGUNTO - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/371572-Ommatoiulus-rutilans

7-10-2019 BAYREN GANDIA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

19-9-2019 OLIVA PLAYA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

3-4-2019 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/371572-Ommatoiulus-rutilans

10-10-2017 - MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SNAKE MILLIPEDE (Ommatoiulus rutilans)

Ommatoiulus rutilans

Ommatoiulus rutilans (C. L. Koch, 1847) Common name “Millipede”

Length 1.5 to 38mm.

Average lifespan 7 years

Widespread in Spain and into the mid, east and south of Europe.

Millipedes have an Omnivore diet, (both plant and animal matter are eaten) mainly feeding on detritus (decaying plant matter).

Diplopods (known scientifically as the class Diplopoda) are a class of myriads commonly known as “millipedes” (Latin name for a thousand feet) although the maximum number of legs on a millipede recorded does not exceed 750, ( The 750 record goes to the species named “Illacme plenipes”) most millipedes have less than 200.

Although millipedes are sometimes mistaken for their relatives, the centipede. Centipedes belong to a different class. Millipedes differ from them, mainly, in that almost all segments of the trunk have two pairs of legs, while centipedes have only one pair per segment.

Millipedes, are vulnerable to many kinds of predators. It does have a defence mechanism, by curling up rapidly into a spiral and also releasing a pungent smelling liquid. This deters many animals, so as to let the millipede go.

Millipedes are important recyclers because they return chemicals to the soil, for plants to use again. But for the gardener millipedes are mainly regarded as a pest.

The female usually lays her eggs concealed on the ground, in amongst or under decaying decomposing leaves and wood. The larvae will moult eight to twelve times before becoming adult. They will live under stones, rocks, fallen leaves and in crevasses of decaying wood. They can live in damp and arid areas, but cannot survive the dry atmosphere found inside many buildings.