Paul Richards
Since the publication of "Millipedes, Centipedes and Woodlice of the Sheffield Area" (Richards 1995), there are a few additions worthy of note. The first is completely new to the published mapping area. Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus is the large brassy ringed snake millipede illustrated in "Millipedes, Centipedes and Woodlice". It was found in July 1996 among leaf litter in a Chesterfield churchyard (SK3873). Another large - but paler - snake millipede, Allajulus nitidus was found in good numbers in Millers dale (SK1473). Although this is only the second local site for this species it is likely to occur more widely throughout the dales. All records so far have been for May when this species appears to be most surface active. The tiny white millipede Brachychaeteuma bradeae has been found for the first time in Rotherham at Warren Vale (SK4497) adding to an already intriguing SW-NE distribution.
The purple woodlouse Porcellionides pruinosus has turned up at last in Sheffield (SK3585) and Barnsley (SE2904). In both instances under manure heaps in farmyards. The Sheffield population can be readily seen at Heeley City Farm in the composting bins. Thousands of individuals occur with virtually no other species present.
Finally the Curly Woodlouse Cylisticus convexus has turned up at Renishaw colliery (SK4377), new to Derbyshire. It occurs amongst one of the regions largest populations of Armadillidium vulgare and can be distinguished by the 5 pairs of lungs on the underside of the tail, a slightly orange tip to the body and antennae which protrude over the back when it curls up into a (slightly flattened) ball.
| Richards, J.P. (1995) | Millipedes, Centipedes and Woodlice of the Sheffield Area. Sorby Record Special Series No. 10. S.N.H.S. and Sheffield City Museum. |
Porcellionides pruinosis by J. P. Richards