''Geophilus vittatus'', also known as the diamondback soil centipede,
is a
species of
soil centipede
Centipedes (from New Latin , "hundred", and Latin , "foot") are predatory arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda (Ancient Greek , ''kheilos'', lip, and New Latin suffix , "foot", describing the forcipules) of the subphylum Myriapoda, an a ...
in the
family Geophilidae
The Geophilidae are a polyphyletic, cosmopolitan family of soil centipedes in the superfamily Geophiloidea containing the mostly defunct clades Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, Chilenophilinae, and Macronicophilidae. Species in ...
widespread in North America and named for the dark band of diamond-shaped markings across its back. ''G. vittatus'' grows up to 52 millimeters in length, though it averages 25–40, and ranges from brown- to orange-yellow in color, with 49–53 leg pairs in females, 49–51 leg pairs in males, and a lack of consolidated carpophagus structures. It can be found under any debris on the
forest floor, but mostly under loose bark
and occasionally near the sea.
Taxonomy
''G. rubens (Say, 1821) synonymy with ''G. vittatus'' was proved by Hoffman & Crabill (1953), and was originally very likely based on a specimen of ''
Strigamia bidens''.
Behavior
When threatened, ''G. vittatus'' will secrete poisons from its underside.
[ The secretion is proteinaceous and contains two cyanogenetic compounds, mandelonitrile and benzoyl cyanide, as well as two products derived from these compounds as a result of hydrogen cyanide production (benzaldehyde and benzoic acid). Benzoyl cyanide has not been previously recorded from a natural source.]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6506765
Diamondback soil centipede
Arthropods of North America
Animals described in 1820
Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque