The outbreak of the millipede, Chamberlinus hualienensis Wang, and the expansion of its distribution area and control in Okinawa

Abstract

In November, 1983 a large number of exotic millipedes, Chamberlinus hualienensis Wang, swarmed on the surface of the soil at Yagibaru, Kitanakagusuku-son, located in the central part of the mainland of Okinawa. The outbreak was the first case in Okinawa and the species was a new species of milliped found on fauna in Japan. Wang first described the species collected from Haulien, Taiwan. The outbreaks were observed twice a year. Larvae occasionally occured from April to June, which fell in the rainy season, and the adults swarmed constantly from October to December for mating. Population densities during the outbreak were estimated at 100,000〜1,000,000 millipedes which swarmed at night. Since 1983, the exotic millipede has expanded its distribution from 1 area to 74 areas, covering 22 son (villages) of which 33 son where on the mainland of Okinawa.