The population characteristics of the East African red legged diplopodMetiche tanganyciense Kraus (Diplopoda: Spirobolidae)

A marked variation exists in the numbers and distribution of East African red legged millipede Metiche tanganycienseKraus on the surface and in the lower layer (15 cm) of the soils. Stadia 5 cm and lesser in length are found in the lower layer and those 5 cm and above on the surface soil. Adults are common in varying numbers in both the habitats. It is suggested that after becoming surface active during March–August, and mating, adults migrate to lower layer during September to oviposit. Eggs and early developmental stages are passed here, and when they are 5 cm in length, the stadia move to the surfface soil to complete their development. In keeping with this behaviour, spatial distribution of the adults may change from non-aggregation on surface soil to aggregation in the lower layer. The simulataneous presence of adults and developing stadia in the two habitats suggests and overlapping of generations.