Scutigera Coleoptrata
General Description
Scutigera Coleoptrata or more commonly known as the House Centipede is native to the Mediterranean but has spread throughout most the world with the help of human transport. The House Centipede is equipped with 15 pairs of thin long legs, with 1 extra long pair at the back that can exceed it's body length. The centipedes long legs allow it to run at speeds of 42 miles/hr, faster than any human being.[2] There bodies are generally grayish-yellow, and are marked with 3 long stripes running down its back longitudinally. An adult individuals body will be around 1-1.5 in, but with legs and antenna extended could reach 3-4 inches. [1]
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Phylum | Subphylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus | Species | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Animalia | Arthropoda | Myriapoda | Chilopoda | Scutigeromorpha | Scutigeridae | Scutigera | S. Coleoptrata |
Habitat
As previously mentioned House centipedes are native to the Mediterranean region but were accidentally introduced to Pennsylvania in 1849.[1] In their native range they can be found outdoors in moist leaf litter and rotting wood.[3] They can also be found in dark, humid areas such as crevices under rocks and caves.[4] In the new region the house centipedes couldn't survive the cold winters of the Northeast which caused them to rely on the warmth of peoples homes. In their natural range, the Mediterranean, they didn't need to occupy peoples homes because the warmer winters there were suitable for them. House centipedes are capable of migrating and burrowing in response to changing environmental conditions such as extreme cold or drought.[4] In the present day they occupy peoples homes across several continents, which they never would've been able to do without human intervention. In the Summers in North America they can be found outdoors but still in areas near buildings.[1] House centipedes are synanthropes meaning they are a species that lives near, and benefits from an association with humans and the articial habitats they create and inhabit.[2] They inhabit spaces such as houses, farms, gardens and even garbage dumps.
Diet
House centipedes are generalist predators they feed on silverfish, worms, snails, cockroaches, spiders, fly larvae and many other small arthropods.[4] A high occurence of house centipedes can indicate that some prey arthropod is also in abundance. The centipedes make use of their fast speed and actively chase down their prey. [3] Like many other centipedes they have a pair of modified legs underneath their mouthparts which can administer a venomous sting to prey or be used in self defense.[3]
Development and Reproduction
Immature centipedes hatch from eggs appearing very similar to adults, except with only 4 pairs of legs.[4] As they develop they will go through 5 developmental moults, each time gaining more and more leg pairs.[3] After all 5 molts they have 14 pairs of legs and are considered mature. House centipedes development is much slower than that of many other insects, taking upwards of 3 years to reach sexual maturity.[3] They are a dioecious species with internal fertilization, and are stimulated by pheromones and sound signals.[4] Courtship involves the male circling and tapping other centipedes looking for a receptive female.[4] Once the male finds a mate he spins a silk pouch in which he places his sperm, the female will then take the pouch and fertilize her eggs.[4] The female will lay their eggs in the soil and cover them up with a sticky substance.[4] The females are known to produce an average of 35-100 eggs.[5] For 2 weeks after hatching the mother stays with her babies and provide some degree of protection for the young.[4]
Ecosystem Role
House centipedes are nocturnal carnvivores that consume smaller invertebrates, in particular insects and arthropods. If the centipedes were wiped out it would be disastrous for domestic ecosystems, they are top predators in their food web, and if eliminated would alter the whole system.[2] They provide a food source to larger predators such as birds,reptiles, and mammals.[5]
References
[1] Jacobs, S. 2013. House Centipedes.https://extension.psu.edu/house-centipedes
[2] Marlatt, C.L. 2016, June 9. Domestic Ecology: A Brief Biohistory of the House Centipede. https://thehistorybandits.com/2016/06/09/domestic-ecology-a-brief-biohistory-of-the-house-centipede/
[3] Dugas, K. House Centipede (Scutigera Coleoptrata). https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CAES/DOCUMENTS/Publications/Fact_Sheets/Entomology/House_Centipede_Scutigera.pdf
[4] Ricks, W. 2001. Scutigera Coleoptrata. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Scutigera_coleoptrata/
[5] Missouri Department of Conservation. House Centipede Scutigera Coleoptrata. https://education.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/house-centipede
[6] Hadley, D. 2018. House Centipedes, Scutigera Coleoptrata. https://www.thoughtco.com/house-centipede-scutigera-coleoptrata-1968230