Seasonal activity of millipedes (Diplopoda)--their economic and medical significance.

The millipede Brachydesmus superus Latzel, Polydesmus inconstans Latzel (Diplopoda: Polydesmida) and Kryphioiulus occultus C. L. Koch (Diplopoda: Julida) were collected from compost in gardens in Lublin, eastern Poland. Collections were made by using pitfall traps between April - September 2009 and 2010. Brachydesmus superus, Polydesmus inconstans and Kryphioiulus occultus play a significant role in composting of plant residues. Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus Wood and Ommatoiulus sabulosus Linnaeus (Diplopoda: Julida) were collected manually in 2009-2011 in fallows and ruderals of Lublin and Kraków. C. caeruleocinctus and O. sabulosus caused considerable nuisance during mass occurrence and migration in human residences. The sex ratio has been determined for populations of C. caeruleocinctus, total sex ratio average 1:1.46. The number of females prevailed. Millipedes of the temperate climate have two peaks in the spring and autumn pattern of activity of the year. Both common species C. caeruleocinctus and O. sabulosus were analysed bacteriologically. The millipede Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus transmits Citrobacter freundii, Pantoea agglomerans, Serratia marcescens, Raoultella planticola, Salmonella arizonae. The millipede Ommatoiulus sabulosus transmits Citrobacter freundii, Pantoea agglomerans, Raoultella planticola and Xanthomonas maltophila.