Scutigera Coleoptrata: Difference between revisions
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''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. 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. <sup>[1]</sup> | ''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.<sup>[2]</sup> 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. <sup>[1]</sup> | ||
== Taxonomy == | == Taxonomy == | ||
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| S. Coleoptrata | | S. Coleoptrata | ||
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==Habitat== | |||
As previously mentioned House centipedes are native to the Mediterranean region but were accidentally introduced to Pennsylvania in 1849.<sup>[1]</sup> In their native range they can be found outdoors in moist leaf litter and rotting wood.<sup>[3]</sup> 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. 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.<sup>[1]</sup> 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.<sup>[2]</sup> They inhabit spaces such as houses, farms, gardens and even garbage dumps. | |||
==Diet== | |||
House centipedes are generalist predators they feed on silverfish, firebrats, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, spiders, and many other small [[arthropods]].<sup>[1]</sup> 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. <sup>[3]</sup> Like many other centipedes they have a pair of modified legs underneath their mouthparts which can administer a venemous sting to prey or be used in self defense.<sup>[3]</sup> | |||
Revision as of 15:13, 19 April 2023
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] 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. 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, firebrats, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, spiders, and many other small arthropods.[1] 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 venemous sting to prey or be used in self defense.[3]