Can you post a picture, Alice?

Maybe you can identify it at BugNet.

I know there's a small, black, shiny worm-like thing (3/4 to 1 inch long) that's some kind of either a millipede or centipede that's supposed to only eat decaying material and is supposed to be good for the garden, but I don't know that for sure---but I don't think they make tunnels in the soil. I find them all over my yard, but I've never noticed that they've done any damage. The only thing I find tunnels from is earth worms, and I'm amazed at the big tunnels they can make sometimes.

Post a picture, and I bet Digit will figure it out if nobody else knows what it is!

:-)
Skybird

Here is a link that might be useful: 'BugNet'

I don't know if I can live up to such a high level of confidence, Skybird.

In an attempt to preempt any real test of my skill - The garden symphylans may be your critters, Alice. I don't believe they get up to an inch long, however, but I've noticed how my estimation of size is sometimes based on other than objective observation. If they really are that large, they may well just be centipedes which are supposedly not to be considered garden pests.

digitS'

Well, at first glance it doesn't look like my bug. It seems more translucent and I don't remember such long antennae. And I think I'm glad. I'm kind of creeped out by something that adds legs as it grows!

I'll get the camera out when I harvest the rest of the potatoes - next week most likely. Then we can be very scientific!!!