Centipedes and millipedes are both arthropods, but they belong to different classes. Centipedes are members of the class Chilopoda, while millipedes are members of the class Diplopoda. They look similar, but there are some key differences between them. This blog post will take a closer look at those differences.
What is Centipede?
The centipede is an arthropod belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. The centipede is a carnivorous creature and is mostly found in damp and dark places. A centipede has a pair of legs attached to each body segment. Centipede breathes through breathing pores present on the sides of its body. Centipede molts as it grows and can live up to 6-7 years.
The centipede’s natural enemies include lizards, frogs, snakes, birds, and mammals. Some species of centipede can reach up to 30 cm in length. Centipedes are mainly nocturnal creatures and are not active during the daytime. Centipede is also known to be a very good swimmer. Centipede uses their venomous fangs to kill their prey before devouring it.
What is Millipede?
- The millipede is the common name for any member of the terrestrial diplopod order Millipede. Millipedes are elongated metameric creatures with two pairs of legs on most body segments; they are generally arthropods whose exoskeletons haveSegmented Millipedes on many hard plates. Each double-legged segment is a result of two single segments fused into one.
- Most millipedes have very poor eyesight, and they use touch to find their way around. They are widely distributed in damp habitats throughout the world. Millipedes are often confused with centipedes, which have a single pair of legs on each body segment. Although the name “millipede” is derived from the Latin for “thousand feet”, no known species has 1,000; the record holder is Illacme plenipes, which has up to 750 legs.
- Millipedes typically roll into a ball when threatened. Millipedes eat rotting leaves, dead insects, and other small organic matter. They move very slowly and can live up to seven years in captivity.
Difference between Centipede and Millipede
Centipedes and millipedes are two different types of animals that live in the soil. Centipede is a carnivorous predators while millipede is an herbivore. Both have a long, segmented body with many legs but there are some distinguishing features between them. Centipede has one pair of legs per body segment while millipede has two pairs. Centipede is also more active than millipede and they can move very fast.
Centipede also has sharp claws that it uses to kill their prey. Millipede, on the other hand, eats decaying plants and dead leaves. It is slower than a centipede and it does not have any claws or other weapons. Centipede is usually found in tropical regions while millipede is found in temperate regions. Centipede is also longer than millipede, with some species reaching up to 30 cm in length. Millipedes are shorter, with most species only reaching 10 cm in length.
Conclusion
Centipedes and millipedes are both arthropods, but they have a few key differences. Millipedes tend to be slower-moving than centipedes and they have more legs (duh). They also secrete a sticky substance that can harm predators or humans. While they may look similar, the two creatures should not be considered interchangeable in terms of pest control. If you’re dealing with an infestation of either type of bug, it’s important to identify them correctly and use the appropriate methods for extermination.
