Greenhouse Millipede (Oxidus gracilis)

 


Greenhouse Millipede near Barber town Bridge (Mississauga, Ontario)

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Relevant Background: "The greenhouse millipede (Oxidus gracilis), also known as the hothouse millipede, short-flange millipede, or garden millipede, is a species of millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae that has been widely introduced around the world, and is sometimes a pest in greenhouses...The greenhouse millipede got its name from the fact that it survives optimally in greenhouses. They are normally found in Asia, but it can also be found in the Americas and Europe as an invasive species...The greenhouse millipede eats decaying organic matter.[13] This includes leaf litter, mulch, and grass thatch.[4] While it doesn’t need to worry about hunting other organisms it does need to be able to defend itself which it is able to do through its chemical defenses. It does this by producing cyanide in its segmental glands. There are two parts of the glands one that produces the cyanophore which is what makes the cyanide harmless, and the other is the reaction chamber that makes an enzyme that separates the cyanide from the cyanophore. After this occurs the hydrogen cyanide can then emerge through a pore and kill any predator that is trying to attack....The greenhouse millipede is more of an aggravation than a threat to humans. The North American population is known to mass migrate in certain areas, with piles of millipedes occasionally accumulating in roadways or drainage swales. When crushed they release a pungent smell resulting from their chemical defenses...Greenhouse millipedes play an essential role in ecosystems. They are crucial for recycling deceased plant material, aerating soil, and providing sustenance for a variety of organisms, including reptiles, birds, mammals, and predatory insects. Their burrowing activities help aerate the soil, which promotes better water infiltration and drainage. They create channels in the soil which helps to enhance root growth and nutrient uptake by plants. This contributes to overall soil fertility. [14] Their adaptability to urban environments and lack of natural predators make them valuable in urban settings. This is where they contribute to soil health and provide food for various animals. Being able to recognize their ecological importance is essential for conserving urban biodiversity and promoting sustainable urban development..." (Greenhouse millipede - Wikipedia)

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Relevant Material: "Greenhouse millipedes are not commonly consumed by humans due to their chemical defenses, although they are a traditional food source for some groups in Burkina Faso, where they are prepared carefully to neutralize their harmful compounds. While some African species have high nutritional value, the potential for toxic secretions like hydrogen cyanide and benzoquinones makes widespread consumption unfeasible for most populations. 

Why Greenhouse Millipedes Are Not a Common Food Source 
  • Defensive Secretions:
    The primary reason greenhouse millipedes are not a common food source is that they produce chemicals, such as hydrogen cyanide and benzoquinones, as a defense mechanism.
  • Health Risks:
    Ingestion of these secretions can be harmful, presenting a severe challenge to their spread as an everyday food source.
Traditional Use in Other Regions 
  • Bobo People of Burkina Faso:
    Some communities, like the Bobo people of Burkina Faso, have a tradition of regularly consuming millipedes.
  • Preparation Methods:
    In these regions, specific species are collected and carefully prepared to remove or neutralize their toxic compounds before being eaten.
Nutritional Potential (with caveats)
  • High Nutritional Value:
    Some studies on millipedes in general indicate they have high nutritional value, with particularly high contents of unsaturated fatty acids, calcium, and iron. 
  • Ethnomedical Context:
    The traditional use of millipedes by groups like the Bobo people, despite their toxic defenses, suggests potential ethnomedical benefits and reasons for their use in specific cultural contexts. 
In Summary
While millipedes are used as a food source in some cultures and offer nutritional benefits, their inherent chemical defenses make them a problematic food for general human consumption, especially for the species found in greenhouses. .." (Greenhouse millipede - Wikipedia)
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Relevant Insurance Coverage: Note: Many if not all Insurance companies do not provide Insurance coverage against damage caused by insects or pests

a) Habitational and Commercial property Coverage

b) Travel & Health 

c) Life Insurance 

d) "Minimize moisture, remove debris...Seal pest entry points" (Controlling Millipedes In and Around Homes | NC State Extension Publications)

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