Rhinotus purpureus

(Pocock, 1894)

purple millipede

A small, in the Siphonotidae, native to the Neotropics but widely introduced globally through human commerce. Frequently found in greenhouses and other , it has been repeatedly described as new due to its variable appearance, resulting in over a dozen synonyms. First recorded from the Indian subcontinent in 2020.

Rhinotus purpureus by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.Rhinotus purpureus by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.Rhinotus purpureus by (c) Ben Machado, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ben Machado. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhinotus purpureus: /rɪˈnoʊtəs pɜrˈpjʊriəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

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Habitat

Greenhouses and other (human-associated) environments. The thrives in artificial, humid microhabitats created by human activity rather than natural .

Distribution

distribution originating from the Neotropics. Documented from the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. Introduced recorded from Kew Gardens (England), greenhouses in Germany, the southern USA, Comoro Islands, Madagascar, Indian Ocean Islands, Galápagos Islands, and first confirmed record from India (2020).

Diet

Decaying plant matter and organic detritus.

Behavior

Designated as a 'tramp ' due to its frequent association with human transport and establishment in artificial environments far from its native range.

Human Relevance

A common greenhouse pest and hitchhiker in plant commerce. Its presence in greenhouses and gardens worldwide reflects human-mediated . The has no documented agricultural or medical significance.

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Sources and further reading