Scutigerellidae

Overview

Scutigerellidae is a family belonging to the class Symphyla of Subphylum Myriapoda. Scutigerellidae are a moist soil dwelling pseudocentipede family. They are characterized by their 15 tergites (a special type of segment on their dorsal side) and having over 20 articles on their antennae [2].

Taxonomy and Genera

	Kingdom	Phylum	Subphylum	Class	Family
Classification	Animalia	Arthropoda	Myriapoda	Symphyla	Scutigerellidae

There are 140 known species, as well as the following 5 Genera within the family Scutigerellidae: Hanseniella Millotellina Scolopendrelloides Scopoliella Scutigerella [2]

Characteristics

Scutigerellidae are characterized by their 15 tergites and 20+ antennae articles. They are usually a translucent white color with 15-24 bodily segments. They have 12 pairs of short legs and have cerci at their rear ends. They are most often between 2 and 8 mm in length [3]. Despite a resemblance to centipedes, Scutigerellidae are much smaller.

Ecology and Behavior

Scutigerellidae feed on decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae, and are therefore characterized as detritivores. They are said to be primarily nocturnal and exceedingly fast, with movement aided by secreted mucus [3]. They rely on their long antennae to feel their way around, as they lack eyes [1].

Habitat

Scutigerellidae are found in upper layers moist soils, decaying wood, compost, and leaf litter [3].

Life Cycle

Adults can live for up to 4 years and have the ability to reproduce sexually and asexually [3]. They remain beneath the soil for their whole lives. Scutigerellidae spend 1-2 weeks as an egg, followed by a 6 legged nymph stage. With each molt, they gain legs and segments, eventually reaching 12 pairs of legs [1][3].

Notable Members

A notable member of the family, the garden symphylan (scutigerella immaculata) has been studied for its impact on plant health. It was found that tomato and spinach seedlings are particularly vulnerable to this species of symphya, whereas corn is more resilient [4]. Largely this species has been considered a garden pest for decades, with studies as early as 1937.

References

[1] Scutigerella agg. | NatureSpot. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.naturespot.org/species/scutigerella-immaculata [2] Scutigerellidae. (2025a). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scutigerellidae&oldid=1285273790 [3] Scutigerellidae. (2025b, April 17). Bugs With Mike. https://bugswithmike.com/factsheet/scutigerellidae [4] Umble, J. R., & Fisher, J. R. (2003). Influence of Below-Ground Feeding by Garden Symphylans (Cephalostigmata: Scutigerellidae) on Plant Health. Environmental Entomology, 32(5), 1251–1261. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-32.5.1251