Apheloria virginiensis
Drury, 1770
Virginia cherry millipede, black-and-gold flat millipede, yellow and black flat millipede
Species Guides
3- Apheloria virginiensis corrugata(Aromatic Cherry Millipede)
- Apheloria virginiensis reducta(Yellow-and-black millipede)
- Apheloria virginiensis virginiensis
Apheloria virginiensis is a large flat-backed millipede in the Xystodesmidae, notable as the first myriapod described from North America in 1770. range from 27–59 mm in length and exhibit striking aposematic coloration, typically black with yellow, pink, or orange spots on the paranota. This secretes hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde as a chemical defense, producing a characteristic cherry or almond odor. It inhabits mesic deciduous and mixed forests in the piedmont and coastal plain regions of Virginia and North Carolina, where it contributes to leaf litter decomposition.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Apheloria virginiensis: /æfɪˈlɔːriə vɜːˌdʒɪniˈɛnsɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
can be distinguished from the sympatric A. corrugata by the shape of the male acropodite: A. virginiensis has a distinct elbow-like bend, whereas A. corrugata has a smoothly circular acropodite. Additionally, the junction of the acropodite and prefemur features a distinct in A. virginiensis. in leg count is present: adult females have 31 pairs of legs, while adult males have 30 pairs (the eighth pair modified into gonopods). Coloration is variable, with common patterns including two yellow spots on paranota, three spots (with or without a mid- spot), or less commonly pink or orange spots replacing yellow.
Images
Habitat
Found in mesic including deciduous forests, mixed forests, and sandy soil environments. Specific documented associations include forests with pine, birch, beech, maple, oak, sweet gum, walnut, magnolia, hickory, rhododendron, tulip poplar, and cherry trees. Typically occurs under decaying leaves or logs, often near streams and in sandy woods; occasionally observed on leaf litter or trails after dark.
Distribution
Primary range encompasses the piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina and southern Virginia. In North Carolina, frequently recorded in the Research Triangle area including William B. Umstead State Park. In Virginia, extends through the Blue Ridge Mountains, piedmont, and coastal plain north to Prince Edward County (Hampden-Sydney College), and west to Floyd County in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Western range limit includes Wilkes County, North Carolina. Disjunct records exist west of the Mississippi River, including the Arkansas Delta (A. virginiensis reducta).
Diet
feed on leaf litter and rotting wood from both coniferous and deciduous trees. Juveniles feed on humus.
Life Cycle
Females lay in protected, moist locations with available food, typically under logs. Incubation lasts three or more weeks. Young hatch as pale juveniles with fewer segments and legs than . Through repeated molting, juveniles progressively darken, develop brighter spots, and add segments and legs until reaching adult form with 20 segments (including collum and ). Lifespan is two to three years.
Behavior
Primarily , with individuals sometimes observed on leaf litter or trails after dark. When disturbed, secretes hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde from lateral glands as a chemical defense; these compounds produce a characteristic cherry or almond odor. The secreted quantity is generally insufficient to harm humans, though handling is not recommended.
Ecological Role
Contributes to forest nutrient cycling through consumption and processing of dead plant material. Digestion of dead leaves and of fecal pellets facilitates of leaf litter into humus, enhancing soil formation and nutrient availability.
Human Relevance
Historical significance as the first myriapod described from North America. Handling is not recommended due to secretion of hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde; authorities advise washing hands after contact to prevent irritation. The ' aposematic coloration and chemical defense make it a subject of interest for education regarding defensive adaptations in arthropods.
Similar Taxa
- Apheloria corrugataOverlaps in range in southern Virginia and shares similar overall body form and coloration. Distinguished by smoothly circular acropodite (versus elbow-like bend in A. virginiensis) and phylogenetic placement in a separate clade.
- Apheloria montanaClose phylogenetic relative forming a sister group with A. virginiensis and A. polychroma. Distinguished by smoothly circular acropodite lacking the elbow bend of A. virginiensis.
- Apheloria polychromaClose phylogenetic relative in the same clade as A. virginiensis. Distinguished by smoothly circular acropodite and acute angle (rather than ) at the junction of acropodite and prefemur.
- Pleuroloma flavipesShares similar aposematic coloration (black with yellow markings) and flat-backed body form in the same . Distinguished by different and geographic distribution primarily west of the Mississippi River.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Tabanidae | Beetles In The Bush
- predator avoidance | Beetles In The Bush | Page 5
- Noteworthy Geographic Distributional Record for the Milliped, Apheloria virginiensis reducta (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae), from the Arkansas Delta
- DISTRIBUTION OF THE MILLIPED GENUS APHELORIA CHAMBERLIN, 1921; SUMMARIES OF PERIPHERAL LOCALITIES AND ONES OF A. VIRGINIENSIS (DRURY, 1770) WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (POLYDESMIDA: XYSTODESMIDAE)