On the dorsal side of the last trunk segment are longitudinal and transversal wide sulci resembling a cross.

The body is yellowish to orange in colour with a pinkish/red stripe on the lower side and has up to 179 segments, with a pair of legs each.

The number of legs is very variable, usually leg-bearing segments vary from 87 to 171 in males and from 95 to 179 in females.

[5] When disturbed, this species emits viscous and proteinaceous secretions from the sternal glands.

It can be found in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Switzerland.