The invasive Portuguese millipede plaguing residents on Wellington’s south coast has spread beyond the region.<\/p>\n
When Wellingtonians sounded the alarm about infestations of the scaly black creature – discovering them in shoes, bags and even beds – entomologist professor Phil Lester predicted the species would appear elsewhere.<\/p>\n
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has now confirmed the millipede has been found in New Plymouth, and that it’s also awaiting samples of a specimen from Nelson – which if confirmed, would be the first known report of the species in the South Island.<\/p>\n
MPI said the reports were the first outside of the main populations in Wellington, where the millipede is thought to have been established for the past 20 years.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said there would be no formal response to its spread, “however Biosecurity New Zealand will provide advice to local authorities where required”.<\/p>\n
Lester said given the Portuguese millipede’s “massive abundance” in parts of Wellington, expansion was inevitable.<\/p>\n
“You’d expect the millipedes to contaminate cars, luggage, and containers … and be moved around the country.”<\/p>\n
Very little was known about the creepy-crawlies found in homes, shoes, bags, and even local\u2019s beds. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
He said people and authorities in New Plymouth would be wise to act now.<\/p>\n
“The residents of Owhiro Bay will tell you, if it gets established and gets in high numbers, it’s a real pain in the neck.<\/p>\n
“So they are suffering from it – as we speak almost,” (the millipedes emerge in spring and autumn).<\/p>\n
Lester said one positive identification of the species was likely to be the tip of the iceberg.<\/p>\n
“If you can do anything to avoid it getting established, that would be optimal. It would solve a problem down the track.”<\/p>\n
He said people should report sightings and submit samples to MPI, and spray if possible.<\/p>\n
It would be ideal if councils got involved in stopping its proliferation, he said, but acknowledged funding and resource constraints meant that wasn’t always possible.<\/p>\n
Lisa Hardegger, leader of Taranaki Regional Council’s biosecurity programme, said she was aware of the millipede’s sighting in New Plymouth – submitted to iNaturalist (a website dedicated to identifying species) in June – but said there’d been no direct contact with MPI or Biosecurity New Zealand since.<\/p>\n
She said she wasn’t aware of any other sightings in the area, and encouraged residents to report anything they suspect to be the millipede to MPI.<\/p>\n
“The Portuguese millipede is not part of our Regional Pest Management Plan and is considered more of a nuisance pest rather than a threat to ecosystems or human health. Of course, we would prefer it does not become established or widespread in the region.”<\/p>\n
Because the species wasn’t on the pest plan, the New Plymouth District Council said it didn’t have a role in managing it.<\/p>\n
Lester, who is also part of an advisory group researching the Portuguese millipede and ways to control its population in Wellington, said trials of a parasitic nematode as a biocontrol agent were due to begin in the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
The microscopic nematode Steinernema feltia wriggles its way into the millipede’s body and reproduces. Eventually, the offspring become so numerous they burst out of the host, killing it.<\/p>\n