Desmoxytes

This small genus of spectacular polydesmids is composed of 20 accepted species found across Southeast Asia, with D. planata having been introduced to other nations in Asia and Oceania outside of its natural range (1). Only D. planata, D. purpurosea, and D. suspect delfae have entered the hobby. Members of this genus are often characterized by their association with limestone cave habitats, and in some cases may be troglobites (1).

D. planata, the only species kept widely in captivity, does well with more rotting wood in the substrate as this species is a polydesmid, and also frequently consumes fungi and live mosses; it has been reported to feed on the white, fuzzy molds that most often develop when fruits in the enclosure start to rot. A higher relative humidity, around 90%, is also needed for this species to do well. Aside from this it very easy to care for, breeding rapidly and prolifically in captivity, and if not quickly rehoused/excess specimens are not transferred to another enclosure the colony can rapidly crash due to overcrowding. D. purpurosea entered into the hands of a few German enthusiasts over a decade ago but has since been lost from culture (2). D. suspect delfae has been kept by a Slovakian enthusiast, Adriàn Purkart, but breeding has not been reported (3).

Desmoxytes are generally colored in variations of red, orange, or pink, with impressively spiked paranota and elongated antenna. D. planata matures at just under 1"/2.54 cm, and can grow from egg to adult in good conditions in two months, though specimens do not gain their full pink coloration until adulthood.

Desmoxytes planata, immatures in the first two photos, adults in the last two. Photos compliments of Kevin Nasser (4).

Desmoxytes suspect delfae adults. Photos compliments of Adriàn Purkart.

  1. Srisonchai R, Enghoff H, Likhitrakarn N, Panha S (2018) A revision of dragon millipedes I: genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, with the description of eight new species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). ZooKeys 761: 1-177. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.761.24214

  2. H, M. (2008-2009). First description: Desmoxytes purpurosea - the shocking pink dragon millipede, Post # 1-17. Message Posted to http://forum.diplopoda.de/forum/index.php?thread/2383-erstbeschreibung-desmoxytes-purpurosea-the-shocking-pink-dragon-millipede/&postID=31495&highlight=desmoxytes#post31495

  3. Purkart, A. (2019). Desmoxytes cf. delfae in captivity. Skippy’s millipedes, Post #25. Message Posted to https://arachnoboards.com/threads/skippy%C2%B4s-millipedes.323018/page-2#post-2979223

  4. Nasser, K. (N.A.). Desmoxytes planta. Photograph. Permission Granted solely to TMED.

  5. Sierwald, P.; Spelda, J. (2021). MilliBase. Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923. Accessed at: http://www.millibase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=891424 on 2021-11-11

  6. Purkart, A. (2019). Desmoxytes planta. Photograph. Desmoxytes Genus Page Header. Pemission granted solely to TMED.