Anadenobolus monilicornis

Anadenobolus monilicornis
A. monilicornis in defensive position
Yellow Banded Millipedes (Anadenobolus monilicornis) near porch light at night in South Miami, Florida
Skin damage caused by toxins from Yellow Banded Millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Diplopoda
Order: Spirobolida
Family: Rhinocricidae
Genus: Anadenobolus
Species: A. monilicornis
Binomial name
Anadenobolus monilicornis
(von Porat, 1876)[1]

Anadenobolus monilicornis, known as the yellow-banded millipede or bumble bee millipede, is a species of millipede in the family Rhinocricidae. It is native to the Caribbean but has been introduced to the southeastern United States.[2]

Description

Individuals are dark brown with distinctive yellow bands, and measure 2.5–10 centimetres (1.0–3.9 in) long. The legs and antennae are red.[3]

Ecology and behaviour

This species inhabits leaf litter. Birds and captive monkeys have been observed crushing these millipedes and rubbing their secretions on their wings or fur, probably to repel insects.[3] This millipede might sometimes crawl on an unwary person at night while sleeping. If it finds itself pressed up against the skin or crushed it will release a toxic irritant that will cause a dark chemical burn to the skin.[4] These darkened areas may take more than 4 months to completely return to normal.[4]

Distribution

This species is native to the Caribbean: it is found in Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and on Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Haiti.[5][6]

This species has been introduced to southern Florida, where it can occur in large numbers but is not considered a pest.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Anadenobolus monilicornis (von Porat, 1876)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  2. ↑ Anadenobolus monilicornis
  3. 1 2 3 "Yellow-banded millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis)" (PDF). Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. August 2006.
  4. 1 2 "Millipede toxin". MedlinePlus. 28 September 2016.
  5. ↑ Pérez-Asso, A. R.; D. E. Pérez-Gelabert (2001). "Checklist of the millipeds (Diplopoda) of Hispaniola" (PDF). Boletín de la S.E.A. 28: 67–80.
  6. ↑ Chamberlin, Ralph V. (1918). "The Chilopoda and Diplopoda of West Indies". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology: 151–262. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
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