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WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus

Favourite Photos

image species author location uploaded taken select
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:53 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:47 p.m.
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:53 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:50 p.m.
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:53 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:50 p.m.
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:59 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:52 p.m.
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:59 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:52 p.m.
Common Flat-backed Millipede Common Flat-backed Millipede - Polydesmus angustus dylan Westbury Wildlife Park 13 Apr 2021, 11:59 a.m. 12 Apr 2021, 1:52 p.m.

Species Description

Common and widespread throughout the UK. Habitat includes: places with decomposing plant matter such as gardens (compost heaps), parks, allotments, cemeteries, hedgerows, scrub, woodland (often found amongst leaf litter and under stones / logs) etc. Length: Up to 25 mm. Width: 4 mm. Identification: A flat, brown coloured Millipede with whitish legs and about 20 segments.

Polydesmus angustus /
Polydesmus coriaceus /
Polydesmus denticulatus /
Polydesmus inconstans /


4 genre:

Brachydesmus (1 species)

  • Brachydesmus superus / has 19 segments (not including the head) as oppose to 20 in Polydesmus

Eumastigonodesmus (1 species)

  • Eumastigonodesmus boncii x

Polydesmus (6 species)

  • Polydesmus angustus /
  • Polydesmus asthenestatus /x
  • Polydesmus barberii x
  • Polydesmus coriaceus /
  • Polydesmus denticulatus /
  • Polydesmus inconstans //

Propolydesmus (1 species)

  • Propolydesmus testaceus x