Millipedes are often referred to as "thousand-leggers" and sometimes confused with centipedes.  Millipedes are also called "wire worms" or "rain worms" due to their worm-like appearance and tendency to show up after fall-season rains.

Millipedes are usually brown or blackish in color, with some displaying tones of red or orange.  They have a rounded, segmented body with two pairs of legs on each segment, and their head is also rounded with short antennae.  Millipedes found in the Quad Cities are usually about 1-2 inches long.  Some of the tropical species can get to be over 4 inches long!

Millipedes have high moisture needs like pillbugs & sowbugs.  They're typically found in areas of high moisture and decaying vegetation, such as under trash, compost piles, mulch, and similar areas of high moisture.  These creatures are virtually harmless to man but they can cause staining when crushed.  Some may give off a foul smelling odor so it's best not to pick them up with bare hands.