Chondromorpha xanthotricha, is a species of millipedes in the family Paradoxosomatidae native to South India and Sri Lanka. This horde was recorded at the Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana. Almost everyone is familiar with millipedes. They technically aren’t insects, but they are related as demonstrated by their segmented legs and “crunchy” exoskeleton (both are types of arthropods). These multi-segmented, worm-like creatures can be common in damp areas and are perhaps most recognizable by their slow walk and their habit of curling into a spiral when disturbed. Millipedes feed on decaying plant materials and they return nutrients to the soil. Their feeding also breaks down plant materials into smaller pieces, allowing microbes to more easily assist in the decomposition process.

Paradoxosomatidae, the only family in the suborder Paradoxosomatidea (also known as Strongylosomatidea), is a family of flat-backed millipedes in the order Polydesmida. Containing nearly 200 genera and 975 species as of 2013, it is one of the largest families of millipedes. Paradoxosomatids occur on all continents except Antarctica, and can generally be distinguished by dorsal grooves on most body segments and a dumb-bell shaped gonopod aperture.

Although native to India and Sri Lanka, with shipping transportation, they have been introduced to many countries such as Taiwan, Philippines, Bali, New Caledonia, Samoa, Fiji, Mauritius, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Suriname, and Puerto Rico. The species was recorded for the first time from Singapore in 2012.

Two subspecies are recognized:
1. Chondromorpha xanthotricha hamuligerus Verhoeff,
2. Chondromorpha xanthotricha hirsutus Verhoeff

The reasons behind these millipede hordes isn’t fully understood, but moisture is often noted as a common factor. Other potential reasons range from general weather patterns to habitat disruption, competition, reproduction and probably protection from predators.

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