Apheloria

Apheloria is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the tribe Apheloriini within the family Xystodesmidae. These millipedes are found in the central and northeastern regions of the United States, but the distribution of this genus extends as far north as southern Quebec in Canada. Like all millipedes in the tribe Apheloriini, all species of Apheloria produce cyanide, which they emit through their ozopores as a defense against predators. Species of Apheloria are also known as cherry millipedes, because the production of cyanide also generates benzaldehyde, which smells like cherries or almonds.

These millipedes display bright colors in aposematic patterns with white, yellow, orange, or red stripes or spots contrasting with a black background, so as to warn predators of toxic secretions. Species of Apheloria in the Appalachian Mountains participate in Müllerian mimicry rings with other genera in the family Xystodesmidae, including Brachoria, which includes species that closely mimic color patterns displayed by species of Apheloria. Variations in color patterns within species and mimicry among species makes it difficult to identify species of Apheloria based on color patterns.