Apheloria virginiensis
Apheloria • Xystodesmidae
A flat-backed North American millipede — glossy black edged in gold/yellow. A leaf-litter detritivore that wants cooler-than-room temperatures (60-75°F) and a substrate of moist, rotting hardwood and leaf litter. Famous for its cherry-almond scent: its defensive secretion contains hydrogen cyanide, harmless in the tiny amounts produced but wash your hands after handling. Long-lived (up to ~7 years) and fine in groups.
Temperature
60-75°F
Humidity
70-85%
Prey size: n/a (detritivore)
Type
terrestrial
Adult Size
1.5-2 inches
Growth Rate
slow
Native Region
Eastern USA (Virginia, North Carolina)
Temperament
docile, harmless detritivore
Track its feedings, molts, and growth with Tarantuverse — our free companion app for keepers. Create an account in seconds.
Start tracking — it's free →Or explore Tarantuverse firstKeep its whole story in one place — log feedings, molts, and growth, get molt and feeding reminders, and watch it grow over time. Tarantuverse is a free husbandry tracker for keepers, on web and mobile.