Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede
Cylindroiulus punctatus
This record describes Cylindroiulus punctatus (species). Recorded family: Julidae. Recorded order: Julida.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Western Europe; introduced into Newfoundland
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cylindroiulus punctatus (Leach 1815)
About Julida: the wider group
Order-level background for Julida, the group containing Cylindroiulus punctatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Julida is the largest millipede order in temperate regions with ~750 described species. The spotted snake millipede (Blaniulus guttulatus) is a common garden species across Europe and North America.
Ecological role of the group
Julid millipedes are critical soil engineers that fragment leaf litter and mix organic material into deeper soil layers. They consume their own fecal pellets (coprophagy) to extract maximum nutrients from plant material.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Some Julida species are significant agricultural pests - the spotted snake millipede damages strawberries, sugar beet, potatoes, and other root crops by feeding on seeds and seedlings.
Recorded sources for this group: Agricultural entomology, soil ecology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset