Anombrocheir spinosa commonly known as a millipede is a very complex and interesting insect. Many people are afraid of millipedes because of their looks and size, but I think they are cool.

 

Millipedes can be very colorful and big.  Males are black and yellow and can get up to 37.5 mm long and 9.9 mm wide. Females are different because they can have two to three stops of yellow. They can also have one spot of orange. They can get up to 38.7 mm long and 10.2 mm wide.

 

Millipedes can be found in Lee County, Virginia.  Millipedes like mountainous areas because they eat maple tree leaves, they also like cedar leaves.  Millipedes like moist soil that has decomposing vegetation in it.

 

The conservation status of this millipede is that its habitat is shrinking due to agriculture, the invasion of exotic species and coal mining. They are fewer trees for them to live in because of the development of paper products.

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If you were to see an anombrocheir spinosa in the wild the first thing you would notice is it looks like a bumble bee because of its color.  It would also make you uncomfortable because of its size.  It is important for us to make sure that we protect its habitat for future generations because I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks they are cool.

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Author: Nathan B.
Published 02/2012

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