This species is widespread and common in England, Ireland and Wales but is not found north of the Midland Valley in Scotland. It is believed to be restricted by low temperature (Kime, 1995) and is rarely found at altitudes above 300m. Kime (2004) reported a similar situation from the Ardennes in Belgium. Although it has been recorded from a wide range of habitats and soils, this species is most typically found in deciduous woodland on calcareous loam soils. Habitat data analysis also suggests a strong association with bare rock, including screes, but strong negative relationships with sand dunes and with disturbed, human influenced sites including cultivated land, waste ground and churchyards. In Flanders, Van Den Haute (1999) has shown calcium content of the soil to be the most important factor determining abundance of the species.

In Europe this millipede is found eastwards to Poland and from the Pyrenees to southern Norway (Kime, 1990). It is most common in the west and is restricted to lower altitudes and coastal areas further east (Kime, 1995). Males mature in their second or third year, females in their third or fourth year. Adults can be found throughout the year but are collected most frequently in the spring and autumn. Individuals may survive to an age of 10-11 years (Heath, Bocock & Mountford, 1974).