My Millipedes... ID and sexing questions?

arachna-nono

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
112
Hello-

I'm new to the board, so just wanted to post what I have, and ask a couple questions. I currently have 11 Florida millipedes (I'm crap with latin, but will try HARD to pick it up and fit in!), and 9 African giants. My AFG's are still tiny at about 1"-1 1/2". My Floridas are about 2 1/2"-3".
[/IMG]Floridas
AFGs

I think my Floridas are large enough to sex, and I do see differences in the legs between either set #5 or #7 on a few of them when I use a 30x loupe. Is that what I'm supposed to be looking for?

Also, I bought the Floridas as just that....Florida Millipedes. I don't have much experience with these guys, but I didn't think the true Florida ivories had such strong yellow? Could these actually be an introduced West Indian type that I keep hearing about?

Thanks!
 

millipeter

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
173
The Florida millipede is Anadenobolus monilicornis, introduced from the Caribbean.

The african giant is probably Archispirostreptus gigas.

To sex a millipede you have to look at body ring number 7 (incl. head shield). If there are legs missing = gap, it is a male. If there is no gap it is a female.
 

arachna-nono

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
112
Thank-you very much, millipeter. I really was curious about the true identity of the Bumblebees! I was hoping to get true ivories as I was looking for more giant pedes (the long-run plan was to have some large enough to put in my gecko containers as cleaners), but these guys are very pretty and I have enough that I should get some babies out them eventually.

I know the AFGs are what they are supposed to be since I got them from a local bug guy who has a breeding colony, so I'm just going to have to be patient and WAIT for the size to come!

Again, thanks for the help!
 
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