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Glite Dictionary
Symphyla

Symphyla

9.9
Small soil animals that look like tiny centipedes and can eat plant roots
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪmfɪlə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : symphila
  • Symphyla are often mistaken for centipedes but belong to a separate class of arthropods.

Examples

  • Gardeners sometimes encounter Symphyla when digging in moist soil.

  • Despite their small size, Symphyla can damage plant roots in greenhouses.

  • The Symphyla are often found in moist soil.

  • Many gardeners are concerned about Symphyla damaging their plants.

  • Symphyla are small arthropods that can sometimes be found in gardens, where they coexist with soil plants.

  • When tilling the soil, gardeners may discover Symphyla, which resemble tiny centipedes.

  • The presence of Symphyla in garden soil can indicate healthy, moist conditions for plant growth.

Surface Forms

Symphyla singular
Symphylae plural

Etymology

Symphyla comes from Greek parts sym- meaning 'together' and phyl- (as in phylum) meaning 'group'. So Symphyla literally means a 'group that is together', which helps you remember they are a small group of related, many-legged soil animals often found together in the ground.