Large Black and Yellow millipede, La Isla Escondida, Colombia

When first seeing this species and in the process of photographing it, I was told to not bother, to instead focus on more important subjects. "Because there's millions of them here". Whilst we did not see millions in the coming 4 days, we did see it hundreds of times. Never in great numbers together, just many individuals. We'd even have to watch our step as to not crush them.

They are quite thick, black and yellow banded and have grey/silvery legs. Length is variable, this one at about 10cm.

Despite them being so common, I have no idea what the species is. Information on millipedes is extremely poor in general.

comments (10)

Christine Young

Lion

Gorgeous! It looks like Anadenobolus sp. (Bumble Bee Millipede), except that those have red legs. Hmm. Maybe a similar species? Posted 4 years ago
1. Lisa Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I agree with that as well :) Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Lisa Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    I was just reading that species like Anadenobolus monilicornis (not native to Columbia) may have been introduced there? So maybe consider that as well? Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      A. monilicornis is the species I was referring to above...The problem is that they have red legs. Posted 4 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks for the help both. I too found the black/yellow banded one with red legs and dismissed it because of the different color of legs. It seems even on highly common species there's just no information :( Posted 4 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        It's definitely frustrating. As you said, there is no info online! Posted 4 years ago

Lisa Kimmerling

Lion

Absolutely beautiful. I'm glad you stopped to get photos! Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Also got a "hug of death" later in the set, a macro of the legs. It's quite overwhelming. Posted 4 years ago

Cyamodus

Green Fly

Hello! I live in Colombia and I have a farm near Minca, I see those all the time, the biggest I’ve seen is probably around 8 inches and I researched that Bumblebee Millipedes don’t reach that size. I’ve been wondering for a long time what the species is. Posted one year ago, modified one year ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks for chipping in! Posted one year ago

No species identified

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By Ferdy Christant

Uploaded Nov 28, 2018. Captured Oct 17, 2018 19:48.

Explore Colombia 6,998 2,225 0

NIKON D850
f/14.0
1/60s
ISO64
105mm