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got2Bgreen Coast range of, OR(Zone 8b) Jul 26, 2007

centi or milli?? and which one?

Found at Sahalie Falls.

Thumbnail by got2Bgreen
Post #3779666
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ben1832 Modesto, CA Jul 26, 2007

Looks like a millipede to me. They're rounder than the centipede and have two pairs of legs per segment. The segments look to have small openings also to release chemicals to discourage predators.

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fly_girl The Woodlands, TX(Zone 8b) Jul 26, 2007

You mean you don't have to count the legs? LOL

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got2Bgreen Coast range of, OR(Zone 8b) Jul 26, 2007

Thanks,

I thought it might be a milipede but I wasn't sure if the "2 legs per segment" thing was true or not. I like the little red dots along his sides.

Here is another picture. Wish there wasn't so much light behind him though...

Thumbnail by got2Bgreen
Post #3780135
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ben1832 Modesto, CA Jul 26, 2007

I found this description, and a picture that looks very similar to yours:

A millipede in the Genus Polydesmida, specifically a Red-sided Flat Millipede, Sigmoria aberrans (AKA Almond Millipide because of the odor it emits when it feels threatened.) I've seen it twice in the same Forest (Green Ridge State Forest, MD), both times near water.

Post #3780737
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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Jul 26, 2007

got2Bgreen,
I agree that your millipede is the Red-sided Flat Millipede (Sigmoria aberrans): http://www.pbase.com/rkretz/image/63261716

We had no record of this millipede in BugFiles, so I have created an entry for it here: http://davesgarden.com/bf/go/4833/

Would you please add your images to that page,

Kennedy

Post #3783283
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got2Bgreen Coast range of, OR(Zone 8b) Jul 27, 2007

Kennedy,

The only problem I have with the Red-sided Flat Millipede designation is that everything I've found on it says they are primarily found in the eastern and southeaster US. What's the little thing doing in an Oregon rainforest?

Cheryl

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Jul 27, 2007

Cheryl,
I overlooked the distribution, and with further researcjh, I think your millipede is in fact the Yellow-spotted Millipede (Harpaphe haydeniana). Although this species usually coloured with yellow spots, this site from British Columbia, Canada: http://www.bcbiodiversity.homestead.com/bugsofBC.html reports them as having orange markings:

Quoting:
This millipede usually measures about 3-5cm long, it has characteristic orange markings on each segment and produces cyanide as a defensive mechanism giving it a slightly almond scent.

There are several sites indicating that this species is common in Oregon in just the habitat that you describe.
We have a page for the Yellow-spotted Millipede here: http://davesgarden.com/bf/go/4696/
and would welcome the addition of your images,

Kennedy

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got2Bgreen Coast range of, OR(Zone 8b) Jul 27, 2007

Thanks Kennedy!

I'll get on over there and add my picture....

(c:

Post #3784480
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