Pill-millipede
Guides
Glomeridae
pill millipedes
Glomeridae is a family of pill millipedes in the order Glomerida, comprising over 300 species distributed among approximately 30 genera. Members are characterized by their ability to conglobate (roll into a complete sphere) as a defensive mechanism. The family has a primarily Palearctic distribution with significant diversity in Southeast Asia, and includes both surface-dwelling and cavernicolous species. Many species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical regions.
Glomeroides primus
California Pill Millipede
Glomeroides primus is a pill millipede species in the family Protoglomeridae, native to western North America. It is one of the few pill millipede species found in the Nearctic region, where it occupies a restricted range centered on California. The species was originally described by Silvestri in 1929 under the basionym Apiomeris prima. Like other members of Glomerida, it has the ability to conglobate (roll into a complete ball) as a defensive adaptation. The genus Glomeroides represents an ancient lineage within the Oniscomorpha, the clade containing all pill millipedes.
Onomeris
Onomeris is a genus of pill millipedes endemic to the eastern United States. First described by Orator F. Cook in 1896, the genus was briefly considered the type of its own family Onomeridae before being placed in Glomeridae based on similarities to the European genus Glomeris. The genus contains three recognized species: O. underwoodii, O. sinuata, and O. australora. Onomeris millipedes are notably smaller than other Glomeridae genera, measuring less than 5 mm in length.