T. Eisner et al., DEFENSE-MECHANISMS OF ARTHROPODS .142. MILLIPEDE DEFENSE - USE OF DETACHABLE BRISTLES TO ENTANGLE ANTS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Statesof America, 93(20), 1996, pp. 10848-10851
The millipede Polyxenus fasciculatus (Diplopoda; Polyxenida) defends i
tself against ants by use of a pair of bristle tufts at its rear, When
attacked, it wipes the tufts against the ants, thereby causing these
to become encumbered by bristles that detach from the tufts. Ants cont
aminated with bristles desist from their assault, The bristles have gr
appling hooks at the tip by which they lock onto setae of the ants and
barbs along their length by which they interlink, In attempting to ri
d themselves of bristles, ants may succeed only in further entangling
themselves by causing the bristles to become enmeshed. Ants heavily co
ntaminated may remain entangled and die. Most millipedes have chemical
defenses; polyxenids, instead, have a mechanical weapon.