Centipede? Millipede? Alien monster?

[JKeys]

I was performing the daily check up on my phrags today after I got home, and I noticed something moving on the surface of the media. At first I thought is was three of those pesky little fungus gnats walking in a row. Hmm... that doesn't seem right. (It was a long day). A closer inspection revealed what the true critter was. It almost looked like a very tiny centipede.

My question is, are these a threat to my orchids? I did some research and read that they like to inhabit decaying media. When I got these plants, the media did look a bit old. I have only had time to repot one so far, and this one is next - ASAP!! Will that clear up the problem or should I take further action?

TY

[kindrag23]

while, I am not knowing of if they will hurt your plant. If their preffered media is dead/decaying/breaking down media Houston that may be an issue.

So my guess clean the pots and use fresh media and maybe spray roots in case there were eggs laid and they do cause issue.

[Vanda lover]

they usually preferred rotting plant matter, but if you happen to have a spot of rot on your roots they may nibble and make it worse. i get sow bugs in some of mine, which do the same. Good idea to change the medium.

[digriz]

If it moves really quick and is flatter it's a centipede, if it is more round and slow moving then it's a millipede. Centipedes won't harm your plant as they're predatory. A millipede could as they are somewhat herbivorous, however they mostly eat detritus.

[Kevin_PR]

Millipedes can make the media decompose faster. All my plants have them pretty much since I grow outdoors. I do worry about centipedes here. They get large here, 6", and can send u to the hospital in pain. I have found leeches in a pot that was close to the ground. I would not be too concerned with the millipedes.

[MrHappyRotter]

I can confidently rule out centipedes, millipedes and alien monsters. It sounds to me like you've got a baby chupacabra in your mix.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by Kevin_PR

Millipedes can make the media decompose faster. All my plants have them pretty much since I grow outdoors. I do worry about centipedes here. They get large here, 6", and can send u to the hospital in pain. I have found leeches in a pot that was close to the ground. I would not be too concerned with the millipedes.

Yikes!!

[Paul]

Most likely a millipede. Btw, thought I'd add that millies tend to be black, or grey -- though there are exceptions. Millies are unlikely to do much harm to an orchid though, as others have stated, they like moist decaying material so it may be a sign that your media needs changed.

[lepetitmartien]

There's polydesmus too, look like a cross of both, more on the centipede side, but eating detritus only.

I take the presence of any of them as the sign something decays in the medium, and it attracts insects/arthropods, so the best is to care about the plant roots and medium as something is brewing there.

Note centipedes can bite for some, and can be nasty. The others are happy campers.

[JKeys]

Originally Posted by lepetitmartien

There's polydesmus too, look like a cross of both, more on the centipede side, but eating detritus only.

I take the presence of any of them as the sign something decays in the medium, and it attracts insects/arthropods, so the best is to care about the plant roots and medium as something is brewing there.

Note centipedes can bite for some, and can be nasty. The others are happy campers.

I'll be sure to wear two or three layers of gloves when I repot.