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Myriapoda: a review of their status in Essex
Brachydesmus superus Latzel
A millipede found in woodlands, but also
widespread in cultivated loams and commonly
found in arabic fields and gardens associated
with Blaniulus guttulatus fairly deep in the soil
(Blower 1985). This no doubt explains the
paucity of records in most of the county, the
majority of which have been made by S.J.
Gregory in north-east Essex.
Family Paradoxosomatidae
Stosatea italica (Latzel)
National Status Notable/Nb
This millipede was recorded in 1968 at Saffron Walden, North Essex by A.D. Barber under a polythene
sack and a log amongst general rubbish under trees close to the street (Barber 1969). The only recent
record is by S.J. Gregory at St. James Church in Colchester (TM002253) on 3 January 1994 under
stones in the churchyard.
Class Chilopoda (centipedes)
Order GEOPHILOMORPHA
Family Himantariidae
Haplophilus subterraneus (Shaw 1789)
A common and widespread centipede in the
south of Britain, especially in the south-west
where it is common in woodlands, but with a
marked preference for disturbed sites such as
arable land, gardens and waste ground (Barber
& Keay 1988). Records held on the Essex Field
Club database are shown on the map, but the
national atlas also shows records for the 10km
square TL60.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)