Many insects have the ability to harm people, and many insects look very menacing. However, many large insects are not harmful at all. Because it would take several volumes to describe every insect, this publication is intended to distinguish several common insects and insect relatives in Kentucky that are or are not harmful. They do not sting or have venom. Millipedes cannot hurt people.
Millipedes are scavengers, feeding on either living or decaying plant parts near the forest floor.
Many species are able to give off a foul smelling fluid that is toxic to insects, but won't do any damage to humans. Despite old folktales that claim they sew up your ears or your lips, they do not attack humans. The immature stage of this insect lives underwater in streams and lakes and feed on aquatic insects and other arthropods. Immatures of some of the larger species even feed on small fish. The aquatic stage can't hurt humans either.