Pleuroloma flavipes

Distinguished from congeners by subtle characters including segmental profile, sternal configuration and pubescence, and male gonopod structure. Most reliably separated from similar-appearing Apheloria and Brachoria species by geographic range and, in males, leg coloration (yellow in P. flavipes versus typically not yellow in those genera). Identification to species within Pleuroloma requires examination of male gonopods and combination of segmental and sternal characters; P. flavipes specifically is the only species in the genus occurring west of the Mississippi River.

Mesic forest environments including rich bottomland forests, upland deciduous woods, and mixed forests with hemlock, rhododendron, and mountain laurel. Found in diverse forest types across its broad range, from the Great Smoky Mountains to eastern deciduous forests. Occurs in areas with sufficient moisture and leaf litter.

Eastern North America from southeastern North Dakota eastward to Connecticut, and southward to North Carolina, northern Louisiana, and southern Texas. The widest distribution of any xystodesmid millipede. Records exist from west of the Mississippi River including Missouri and Texas.

Detritivore; feeds on decaying leaf litter and organic matter. Specific dietary components not documented.

Notable for forming large aggregations of individuals that move en masse in a common direction, hence the common name 'traveling cherry millipede.' A documented aggregation of approximately 6,000 individuals was observed on a single bridge at McCormick's Creek State Park, Indiana in 1950. This aggregating and migrating behavior appears to contribute to the species' extensive range. When disturbed, individuals produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a chemical defense.

Decomposer in forest ecosystems, processing leaf litter and contributing to nutrient cycling. The species' aposematic coloration and chemical defense likely influences predator-prey dynamics in forest floor communities.

Occasionally encountered in large numbers in human-modified environments such as bridges and roads during mass movements. The hydrogen cyanide defense compound is toxic but not considered a significant human health hazard under normal circumstances. Serves as an example of aposematic coloration and chemical defense in educational contexts.

• Apheloria virginiensis reductaConvergent black-and-yellow aposematic coloration through mimicry; distinguished by geographic distribution and male leg coloration
• Apheloria spp.Similar color pattern through mimicry; distinguished by gonopod structure and typically non-yellow male legs
• Brachoria spp.Convergent coloration; distinguished by gonopod morphology and geographic range
• Pleuroloma pinicolaCongener restricted to coastal North and South Carolina; distinguished by segmental profile and male gonopod structure
• Pleuroloma planaCongener ranging from piedmont South Carolina to Gulf Coast of north Florida; distinguished by segmental profile and sternal characters
• Pleuroloma calaCongener restricted to peninsular Florida south of the Suwannee River; distinguished by subtle morphological characters

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Polydesmida | Beetles In The Bush
• Friday flower | Beetles In The Bush
• Revision of the milliped genus Pleuroloma (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae)