About Henia vesuviana Newport, 1845
This species, Henia vesuviana, is long and slender, reaching maximum lengths of 95 mm (3.7 in) in mainland Europe. It is one of the few geophilomorph species that can be identified in the field, with distinct features: greyish body colouration, an orange-yellow head and rear body segment, short terminal legs, and a thick mid-body. Individuals of this species can have between 57 and 87 leg pairs, and specimens found in Britain usually fall in the middle of this range. This species shows sexual dimorphism in leg count: males generally have fewer legs than females. Its common name comes from the distinct white dorsal blood vessel that runs along the full length of its body. In terms of habitat and distribution, Henia vesuviana is found across Western Europe, reaching as far east as Austria. In the United Kingdom, it is classified as Nationally Scarce, but it is fairly common in the Greater London area and along coastal regions. It has been observed to prefer urban sites and arable soils.
