Oxidus Gracilis (Diplopoda: Polydesmida) In Europe: Mass Occurrences And Containment

The greenhouse millipede Oxidus gracilis (Koch), originally native to East Asia, has so far only been found in Central Europe as an introduced species in greenhouses and botanical gardens. In the last few years, however, there has been increasing evidence in Western Austria and Switzerland that this species can also establish itself in the field. These millipedes are prone to mass emergence, they occur as a nuisance on façades of buildings, on terraces and in gardens. In raised beds and kitchen gardens it can also become a plant pest. Buildings can be protected using proven methods with mechanical barriers and silicate. On the
other hand, control of diplopods in raised beds and kitchen gardens is very difficult. For these areas, new methods have to be established.