Mass Occurrences of Millipedes in Times of Global Climate Change

There had been recorded a rise in global average temperature by 1.5°C since pre-industrial times. It promotes the spread of diseases carried by vectors and mass occurrence of arthropods. Millipede can carry infectious agents, invade homes and farms, cause skin irritation in case of exposure to their excretions.The aim of the study was to find information about mass appearances of millipedes and identify the places and periods where it happens.

A systematic review of publications available in online scientific databases and the library of the Medical University of Lublin was performed.

As many as 5 reports about mass occurrence of millipede were from Japan, 3 from Brazil, 3 from Australia 2 from Germany and Hungary, and single publications from Romania, Norway, Poland and Madagascar. In Japan the 8-year periodicity of millipede outbreaks was observed. Japan and Australia encounter problems at railway due to these organisms. In other countries they are nuisance to people when they enter their dwellings and pose a burden in farming and gardening therefore mechanical, chemical and biological methods of millipede control are tested. On the other hand millipede help in composting organic waste. In conclusion: global climate change is accompanied by an increase in frequency of mass occurrences of millipedes.