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millipedes in Muir Woods
Hi there -
My partner and I and my four year old son saw these millipedes today in Muir Woods National Monument north of San Francisco, hiding among the mosses and rotting leaves with banana slugs and other creatures that love the old growth. They were around 2-3 inches long, about half an inch wide. They seem pretty distinguishable with the yellow spots and all, and seem like they’d attract attention, but we haven’t been able to find out what they are. Thanks much!
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy,
We found a match on Bugguide for your Yellow-spotted Millipede, Harpaphe haydeniana. The are relatively common in the rain forrests of the Pacific Northwest.

Expert Confirmation: (01/20/2008) Millipede IDs 6/24/06 . Muir Woods, CA. Harpaphe haydeniana (Cook) (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae).
Rowland Shelley
North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science

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