American giant millipede

Narceus americanus

"Narceus americanus" is a large millipede of eastern North America. Common names include American giant millipede, worm millipede, and iron worm. It inhabits the eastern seaboard of North America west to Georgetown, Texas, north of the Ottine swamps.
American Giant Millipede Large, cylindrical millipede that was 10 cm long! I spotted this one, along with dozens of others throughout a mostly coniferous forest and wetland. This species can grow to be about twice as large as any other millipede that lives in North America. They curl up into a spiral when threatened. They have two pairs of legs on most body segments, and are gray/black with red lines on the edge of each segment. Millipedes have spiracles on their body segments, which are connected both to their respiratory systems and to pairs of ozadenes (stink glands). These ozadenes can release noxious substances, which may cause serious chemical burns. However. unlike many other millipedes, the North American Millipede doesn't release hydrogen cyanide. They do however, excrete a substance that causes a temporary discoloration of the skin. They do not bite, and their only defense is their secretions. American Giant Millipede,American giant millipede,Geotagged,Giant Millipede,Millipede,Narceus americanus,Spring,United States

Appearance

It has a nearly cylindrical gray body, reaching a length of 4 inches.
American Giant Millipede Large, cylindrical millipede that was 8 cm long! This species can grow to be about twice as large (10cm) as any other millipede that lives in North America. They curl up into a spiral when threatened. They have two pairs of legs on most body segments, and are gray/black with red lines on the edge of each segment. Millipedes have spiracles on their body segments, which are connected both to their respiratory systems and to pairs of ozadenes (stink glands). These ozadenes can release noxious substances, which may cause serious chemical burns. However. unlike many other millipedes, the North American Millipede doesn't release hydrogen cyanide. They do however, excrete a substance that causes a temporary discoloration of the skin. They do not bite, and their only defense is their secretions. American Giant Millipede,Geotagged,Millipede,Narceus americanus,Summer,United States

Defense

When threatened, they sometimes curl up or release a noxious liquid that contains large amounts of benzoquinones which can cause dermatological burns. This fluid may irritate eyes or skin. Many other millipedes secrete hydrogen cyanide, and while there have also been claims that "N. americanus" releases hydrogen cyanide, this is not true. They do however, excrete a substance that causes a temporary, non-harmful discoloration of the skin.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassDiplopoda
OrderSpirobolida
FamilySpirobolidae
GenusNarceus
SpeciesN. americanus
Photographed in
United States of America