Portugese millipede

Portugese millipedes have a smooth, cylindrical body made up of 50 segments when fully developed. Adults are 30-45 mm long, dark grey to black in colour and have 2 pairs of legs on each body segment. When disturbed they either curl up in a tight spiral or thrash about violently trying to escape. Portugese millipedes are a pest when they build up to high numbers and invade gardens and houses. They have been recorded causing damage to several horticultural crops such as potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes. Reports suggest Portugese millipedes may also attack emerging canola seedlings in situations where minimum tillage and stubble retention are employed.