Apheloria corrugata

Apheloria corrugata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Polydesmida
Family: Xystodesmidae
Genus: Apheloria
Species:
A. corrugata
Binomial name
Apheloria corrugata
(Wood, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Polydesmus (Fontaria) corrugatus Wood, 1864
  • Fontaria butleriana Bollman, 1888
  • Leptocircus inexpectatus Attems, 1931
  • Apheloria adela Chamberlin, 1939
  • Apheloria iowa Chamberlin, 1939
  • Apheloria reducta Chamberlin, 1939
  • Apheloria pinicola Chamberlin, 1947
  • Apheloria asburna Chamberlin, 1949


Apheloria corrugata is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae. Also known as the aromatic cherry millipede, this species emits defensive chemicals that smell like cherries or almonds. These chemicals include benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide and are toxic to predators that might eat this millipede. A single millipede of this species can produce enough cyanide to kill six mice or 18 pigeons. Although this millipede emits amounts too small to harm humans, authorities recommend washing hands with soap and water after touching millipedes as a precaution. Also known as the pink and yellow cherry millipede, this species displays bright colors in a wide variety of patterns. These colors are aposematic, acting as a signal of toxicity to predators. This millipede is large as well as fragrant, with some adults reaching 70 mm (more than 2 in.) in length.