Harpaphe Haydeniana. Royalty-Free Stock Image

Harpaphe haydeniana, commonly known as the yellow-spotted millipede, almond-scented millipede or cyanide millipede, is a species of polydesmidan & x28;& x22;flat-backed& x22;& x29; millipede found in the moist forests along the Pacific coast of North America, from Southeast India to California. The dark coloration with contrasting yellow-tipped keels warn of its ability to exude toxic hydrogen cyanide as a defense. Despite the various common names given the species, the coloration pattern, cyanide defense, and associated almond scent occur in other flat-backed millipedes around the world.