Millipede+Versus+Centipede

Do you know the difference between Centipedes and Millipedes? Fig. 1- Centipede Vs. Fig. 2 Millipede

**__Millipede__** "Thousand Foot" Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Myriapoda Class: Diplopoda **__Centipede__** "Hundred Foot" Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Arthropoda Subphylum:Myriapoda Class: Chilopoda

Similarities:
 * Belong to Myriapoda
 * Segmented bodies
 * Breathe through spiracles
 * Prefer moist, protected habitats such as under stones, in rotting logs and bark.
 * Metamorphous

Differences:

1.Diet and Defense Fig. 3 Maxillipeds on head.
 * Centipedes are carnivorous and kill prey by injecting venom. They use maxillipeds, modified venomous legs off the first segment, to attack their prey.
 * Millipedes eat decaying organic matter, roots, and leaves which make them important in decomposition. Millipedes do not have the same stinging glands as the centipedes so to protect themselves so they curl up their body or use defensive secretions to ward off predators.

Fig. 4 Millipedes showing curling up as protection. 2. Number of legs Fig. 5 Showing one pair of legs per segment of body
 * Centipedes have an odd number of pairs of legs. There is one pair of legs per body segment. Common species have between 20-300 legs. There are always an odd number of pair of legs. They are very fast moving.
 * Millipedes have two pairs of legs on each segment. Common species have between 36-400 legs. No known species actually have 1000 legs but one specie has up to 750. They are typically fairly slow moving. They move in a wave like pattern that gives them great ability to be climbers and burrowers.

Fig. 6 Showing 2 pair of legs per each body segment. 3. Body Size, Shape and Color
 * Centipedes range from red to brown, some may even lack pigmentation. They can range from a few mm all the way to 30 cm. They have a rounded/ flattened head with antennae as well as mandibles and two pairs of maxillae. They are what they use to kill their prey. A unique feature only found in centipedes are forcipules on their first pair of legs that are pincers to kill prey.
 * Millipedes are usually very elongated with cylindrical bodies. Some can be flattened dorso-ventrally. They range from 2-280 mm and range from black to brown in color. Their head is rounded above and flattened below. The head also has the mandibles.

Interesting Sites and Videos; Facts BugBlog Giant Centipede Giant Millipede

A. Howard

Reference

Literature:

1. Johnston, M. (2013). Difference between centipedes and millipedes. Retrieved from http://www.orkin.com/other/centipedes/what-is-the-difference-between-centipedes-millipedes/

2. Jackman, J. (1999). Centipede, millipede. Informally published manuscript, Texas A&M Department of Entomology, Retrieved from https://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg379.html

3. Cranshaw, W. S. (2013). Millipedes, centipedes, sowbugs. Unpublished manuscript, Colorado State University Department of Entomology, Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05552.html

Images:

1. Colloff, M. (Photographer). (2011, October 14). Ventral View [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Environment/Biodiversity/Australian-centipede-key-awarded-Whitley-commendation.aspx

2. Col, Jeananda. Enchanted Learning. http://www.EnchantedLearning.com 1996