The Portuguese millipede is an invasive species. Photo: Supplied
A millipede found on a Nelson building site has been confirmed as an invasive species from Europe that's plaguing parts of Wellington.
Nelson resident Nick Sparks found the millipede last week in Nelson and reported it to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
MPI today confirmed it was a Portuguese millipede, Ommatoiulus moreleti.
The species has become established in parts of Wellington after first being found in Lower Hutt in 2021 and has recently been found in New Plymouth.
When Wellingtonians sounded the alarm about infestations of the scaly black creature - discovering them in shoes, bags and even beds - entomologist professor Phil Lester predicted the species would appear elsewhere.
Biosecurity New Zealand said the invertebrate had been identified on Wellington's south coast and in Lower Hutt for about 20 years but not much was known about it.
Biosecurity New Zealand pest management programmes manager Cath Duthie said Portuguese millipedes had been established in New Zealand for at least 20 years, so there would not be a formal response to any population spread, however it will provide advice to local authorities where required.
She said while they could be a nuisance, the millipedes pose no risk to human health, and are not known to have any negative effects on the environment.
The discovery of the millipedes in Nelson is the first known report of the species in the South Island.
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