The giant millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) is one of the largest centipedes in the world. Lives in the tropics and subtropics of Africa. It feeds on various plant debris. The giant nodule leads a terrestrial lifestyle. When in danger, it curls into a tight spiral and releases a caustic liquid. The giant nodule is often kept as an exotic pet. This species is recommended for beginner keepers.
Lifestyle
The giant nodule leads a terrestrial lifestyle, making tunnels in a litter of fallen leaves. Active at night. It uses abandoned burrows of other animals, cavities under stones, and fallen tree trunks as shelters. When in danger, it curls into a tight spiral and secretes an irritating liquid that resembles iodine in smell and color.
Kivsyaki: way of life
The invertebrate is nocturnal. During the day it hides in fallen leaves, cracks or buries itself in the ground. Mainly found in deciduous and mixed forests. The centipede is slow and unable to escape from danger. Instead, it rolls up to protect those parts of the body that are not covered by a shell. At the same time, the nodule begins to secrete liquid, which in most cases allows you to quickly scare away the predator. Some species secrete poison. The main threat to this animal are parasitic ticks.
Nutrition
The centipede is extremely voracious. In nature, the basis of its diet is rotten fruits, bark and shoots. Despite the fact that wild representatives feed exclusively on plant foods, at home the noon is omnivorous. It can eat and digest meat as well as dairy products. At the same time, eggshells or shells are always added to the diet to maintain the condition of the shell.
Reproduction
The invertebrate is not too picky about breeding conditions. Therefore, it easily increases the population both in nature and at home. For most species, the limitation is temperature. Kivsyaki are quite heat-loving, so they prefer a temperature of about 22-25 °C. The humidity level does not have such a serious effect, but a variable indicator is preferable (alternating dry and wet periods speed up the incubation process and stimulate the adults).
An important element in reproduction is the ability to dig holes. This could be soft soil or manure. Only females dig a hole. The eggs are located one at a time or in small clutches. Sometimes nods protect their offspring. The emerging larvae immediately hide in the ground.
Reproduction and development
Mating occurs in autumn and spring and usually lasts about 35 minutes. The female lays small yellowish eggs in the soil. Depending on the temperature, incubation lasts 1-3 months. Newborn larvae are light-colored, curled into a tight ball, almost motionless. They spend the first few days in this position, then molt and acquire a light coffee color. The larvae live in the ground, but starting from the third stage they come to the surface. With each molt, one segment is added. Puberty occurs at the age of 2-4 years.
Kivsyaki: distinctive features
Kivsyaki (Julida) are an order of two-legged centipedes.
Kivsyak has a body structure that is standard for centipedes. Size and coloration can vary greatly depending on the species. Bright and large invertebrates can only be found in tropical climates. The remaining varieties are relatively small in size and inconspicuous.
General external characteristics of the nod
From afar, the pest resembles a worm. Upon closer inspection, you will notice that it has a huge number of thin, short limbs. The segments are clearly expressed and numerous. Each segment has 2 pairs of legs. Adults have up to 30 segments. The eyes of the arthropod are large, located on the sides of the head. In some varieties they are reduced.
All nods have the following distinctive properties:
- have antennae (mostly short, consisting of approximately 5 segments);
- breathing is carried out using tracheas (represented by small breathing holes);
- males and females differ in the number of legs on segment 7 (in males, one pair is transformed into gonopods);
- the lower part of the body is smoother than the upper, segmentation is not so noticeable.
All invertebrates of this order are covered with a chitinous shell, the color of which can change with molting. The color is predominantly brown, gray or black; red and white representatives are less common. There may be spots and streaks.
When defending itself, the pest can secrete a brown liquid. Usually it is only a deterrent and has an unpleasant odor. Representatives with toxic secretions are less common. But it should be borne in mind that the liquid is still not dangerous to humans and is intended to destroy natural enemies.
Externally, the nymph larvae are identical to the imago. The main difference is the size of the centipede. Juveniles are often lighter in color than their parents. As they grow older they darken.
Types of nods
There are many species of grasshoppers, but most of them are poorly studied and do not pose a threat to plantings. Next we will look at the most common types of kilts.
Giant or African nodule (Archispirostreptus gigas)
Giant African nodule (Archispirostreptus gigas), photo
Original habitat: East Africa. This species is extremely popular as a pet. Living in forests, the invertebrate rarely bothers humans. The body length is about 30 cm. The color is black and shiny. The limbs are tan or red. Life expectancy is 7 years, in ideal conditions it can live up to 10 years.
The discharge is toxic and can irritate the mucous membranes. But it is important to understand that the poison is not fatal even to the natural enemies of arthropods, that is, it does not pose a serious threat and has an exclusively deterrent purpose.
Sand snuff (Schizophyllum sabulosum)
Sandy nodule (Schizophyllum sabulosum), photo
Particularly common in Russia. The color is black or brown, with two even red or yellow stripes along the body. It lives in both forests and fields. The body length is 2.5-4.5 cm. Most of the time it hides in old foliage and grass.
Rainbow snail (Aulacobolus rubropunctatus)
Rainbow snail (Aulacobolus rubropunctatus), photo
The main color is white or light gray. There may be a bluish tint. Each segment of this arthropod has a bright black ring. There is a longitudinal red stripe with fuzzy edges on the back. The limbs and antennae are colored red. On the last segment you can see a small spike. Body length 10-12 cm. Life expectancy 5-7 years.
Initially, it is an inhabitant of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand). More aggressive than other varieties and may try to bite, especially under prolonged stress or starvation.
Olive nodule (Telodeinopus aoutii)
Olive nodule (Telodeinopus aoutii), photo
It is an inhabitant of the tropical forests of South Africa. Extremely picky about food, friendly. Can reach 24 cm in length. The color is predominantly olive (of varying degrees of saturation). The color of some individuals is closer to yellow or gray. On each segment there are thick brown rings, but on dark representatives they are hardly noticeable. The limbs are striped, the antennae are the color of the body.
It is easy to maintain and care for, so beginners often start it.
Madagascar nodule (Aphistogoniulus corallipes)
Madagascar nodule (Aphistogoniulus corallipes), photo
It lives only in Madagascar and does not pose a serious threat to gardeners. The body length is 10-12 cm. It is a popular pet due to its bright coloring. The main body color is red in various shades. Black rings are also present. The limbs are often lighter and sometimes paler than the body. Life expectancy is about 5 years.
Desert nodule (Orthoporus ornatus)
Desert nodule (Orthoporus ornatus), photo
The original habitat is the USA and Mexico. The centipede is unpretentious and tolerates the lack of water well. It reaches 12-14 cm in length. Coloring can vary greatly. The most common ones are dark yellow and bright brown nooses. There may be dark rings that are not too bright.
Crimean nodule (Pachyiulus flavipes)
Crimean grasshopper (Pachyiulus flavipes), photo
It is of medium size - usually approximately 4-5 cm (although there were exhibits twice as large). The discharge is not poisonous and has an unpleasant odor. The color is gray-brown with a bright steel tint. Extremely slow and calm, often found in parks and forests.
For gardeners, the most dangerous arthropods are those that are small in size and unremarkable in color. Large varieties can be found at home. It is important to know that some small varieties of tropical moths have stronger poison. They can leave severe burns. However, such species are quite rare.
Why are nooks dangerous?
In most cases, these centipedes do not harm gardens and vegetable gardens. However, mass reproduction causes food shortages. Because of this, grasshoppers begin to eat fresh roots and shoots. In addition, centipedes may begin to eat fresh shoots due to lack of moisture, i.e., when the soil is excessively dry.
They can also eat ripe berries of some plants. They can be found especially often on strawberries. Signs of damage are holes in the berries, sometimes larvae appear in them. Once damaged, the berries become unsuitable for eating.
It is worth noting that due to cowardice, coloring and nocturnal lifestyle, it is extremely difficult to see the pest during the day.
Are nostrils dangerous for humans?
Noiseweeds are considered safe for humans; they do not bite or attack. In case of danger, the nooses secrete an odorous secretion; in some species of invertebrates it can be poisonous and cause an allergic reaction. In addition, if the secretion accidentally gets on the mucous membrane, it will cause irritation.
But all this causes severe discomfort; there is no serious danger from meeting a nook.
Is there any benefit to nooks?
In small numbers, nods are useful bedfellows. In nature, they help speed up the process of decomposition of organic residues and play a large role in enriching the soil with oxygen. Therefore, it is generally accepted that such a centipede does more good than harm. Accordingly, its destruction in the garden plot is by no means mandatory. However, it is important to monitor the number of animals and soil moisture.
How to get rid of nodule?
Before choosing any control method, you should pay attention to agrotechnical treatment. It is recommended to destroy all weeds, get rid of fallen leaves, boards and manure, where nooses can hide and breed.
It is important to correctly identify the pest. The centipede damages root crops, berries, stems, roots and leaves. Most often, the damage appears minor and consists of a small gnawed “hole.” However, due to such damage, plant growth slows down and the fruits become unsuitable for consumption. Root vegetables, such as beets or carrots, darken and begin to rot especially quickly. Despite the insignificant degree of damage, the plant dies quite quickly.
Chemicals
In the fight against most pests, this option is the most effective. But noddy is an exception. A durable chitinous shell protects it from the effects of insecticides. And even treating plants eaten by this arthropod does not give the desired result. Chemicals can destroy only the larvae, and less often the eggs of centipedes. However, this method of control rarely allows you to completely get rid of the squid population.
To combat larvae, effective means are “Fury”, “Aktofit”, “Decis”, “Zemlin”, etc.
Treatment with solutions of chloride salts is considered the safest. But when choosing this method, it should be taken into account that an excess of salt in the soil is dangerous for all plantings.
Traditional methods
Such methods in most cases involve repelling pests using odors. These can be infusions or solutions. However, the nods do not react too strongly to such methods of struggle. The most effective option is to plant repellent plants, namely white mustard. By the way, it will not only repel centipedes, but will also have a beneficial effect on the soil.
But the most effective method of dealing with nodule is mechanical treatment. When using this method, various traps are created. Typically they are represented by the following options:
- Boards. You need to make depressions between the beds and cover them with boards or plywood. During the day, arthropods actively hide in such places. It is necessary to periodically lift the board and remove pests.
- Can or bottle. Near the habitat of the centipedes, you need to place the jar in the ground. It is important that it is exactly at ground level. Trying to cross the obstacle, some of the nods will fall inside.
- Bait. Can be used either separately or in conjunction with previous methods to increase efficiency. It is best to take potatoes, carrots, beets or other vegetables as bait. Strawberries are also acceptable. Kivsyaks need to be collected by hand, but it is better to wear gloves to protect the skin from their secretion.
Compost pits are an effective trap. By maintaining favorable conditions for the centipede there, the degree of pestilence can be temporarily reduced. However, the main task is to wait until late autumn. When cold weather sets in, you need to dig out the heap; all the nooses will be left without shelter and die.
Prevention
The best way to combat a pest is to avoid its appearance on the site. Most of the rules of prevention include soil cultivation. Required elements are:
- earlier spring cultivation;
- regular loosening of the top layer of soil;
- late autumn plowing;
- liming of the earth;
- mulching strawberries with straw;
- removal of all damaged fruits;
- timely harvest.
A large amount of debris in the area can also cause millipedes to appear. The invertebrate often hides under old things that have not been used for a long time. Possible shelters should be destroyed in advance.
It is recommended to take special care when purchasing and applying manure, humus and compost. This is the most common reason for arthropods to enter an area. It is important to first ensure that there are no pests or completely abandon the use of organic fertilizers.
