#narceus

[pelagodes]

eating u and eating u and

[herpsandbirds]

I saw this absolutely epic dude while hiking up mount Norwottuck in MA!! I can tell it’s a millipede, but I'm not sure what type.

Also while I'm here, I think you are so super cool, dude. I’ve been following your blog for a while now and it’s so nice. It helps me to acquire even more random nature info. Thank you!!

Millipede ID - MA, USA:

Why thank you my little kumquat.

This friend is an American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus), family Spirobolidae.

While its not that giant compared to millipedes around the world, its very large compared to other millipedes in the Eastern US.

N. americanus is probably more of a species complex (a group of visibly similar or indistinguishable colsely related species). A lot more work needs to be done on the genetics of the various populations.

Narceus americanus - Wikipedia

[platycryptus]

an american giant millipede (a Narceus species in the americanus/annularis complex) traversing a lichen-covered boulder on a mountaintop (Massachusetts, 8/7/23)

Sometimes referred to as “iron worms”, these large millipedes are often locally abundant in mature forests and mountainous areas in the northeastern US. They spend most of their time hidden in decayed logs and leaf litter but regularly emerge to wander in the open, climbing rocks and trees to graze on lichen. Protected by toxins that deter most predators, they do so even in broad daylight, especially during wet or cloudy weather.

[bubbykat]

felt like bugs today

[onenicebugperday]

Really excited to share this leggy friend with you! I did not know that there were millipedes of this size in Missouri, and it was such a treat to find out. This curious individual was crossing a sidewalk, I made the choice to move them along a safer route and got a few photos in the process.

You definitely do! Narceus americanus is found pretty much all over the eastern half of the country and up into Canada. They're usually called American giants or pinkfoots. I think there's currently some debate about whether it's just one species or several in that range.

[bug-cor3]

American Giant Millipede (... and some slug eggs)

- just a baby... This millipede lives in my terrarium alongside a snail, slugs, worms, and a few insects. I love this little millipede a lot. I want to name it... Millie or perhaps Peder.

[bigbeetleabdomen]

közi climbing on my arm :)

🪲

07/16/2024

[buggyblue22]

I truly believe Narceus sp.

have the cutest faces of any millipedes 🥺 they just look so darn sweet