Ouachita-mountains
Guides
Apheloria
cherry millipedes, flat-backed millipedes
Apheloria is a genus of large, chemically defended millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae, distributed across eastern North America. These millipedes are notable for producing hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde as defensive secretions, which imparts a characteristic cherry or almond odor. The genus participates in Müllerian mimicry rings in the Appalachian Mountains, with species displaying highly variable aposematic coloration involving black backgrounds with contrasting yellow, orange, red, or white markings. Species-level identification requires examination of male gonopod morphology due to extensive color polymorphism and convergent color patterns among co-occurring species.
Scaphinotus parisiana
Ozark Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus parisiana, commonly known as the Ozark Snail-eating Beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to the Ozark region, specifically found in Arkansas within the Ouachita Mountains. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous forest habitats. The species is one of the snail-eating beetles in the genus Scaphinotus, which are specialized predators of terrestrial mollusks.