Blaniulidae

Affected crops. The pest causes significant damage to crops with succulent underground organs. Sugar beets, potatoes, carrots, and onions are among the most frequently attacked plants. Additionally, they pose a severe threat to newly germinated seeds and seedlings, where they can consume the embryonic tissues, leading to total stand failure in affected fields.

Biology and life cycle. Blaniulidae thrive in moist, organic-rich soil environments. Their life cycle is characterized by a gradual increase in body segments across several larval stages. They remain active throughout most of the growing season, typically moving deeper into the soil profile during extreme temperature fluctuations, but remaining near the surface where food and moisture are abundant.

Nature of damage and harmfulness. The primary economic damage occurs when these millipedes bore into tubers, roots, and bulbs, creating deep tunnels that compromise the structure of the plant. These entry points provide pathways for secondary fungal and bacterial infections, leading to rapid decay and a drastic reduction in the shelf life and market value of the harvested produce.

Control measures. Integrated management is essential for controlling Blaniulidae populations. Key strategies include improving soil drainage to reduce moisture, practicing crop rotation to interrupt their life cycle, and liming acidic soils. In severe cases, the use of insecticidal seed treatments and soil-applied granular insecticides can provide a necessary protective barrier for vulnerable crops.