House cenpedes are odd-looking creatures, with a short, somewhat worm-like body, round head and many long slender appendages. They have 15 pairs of legs arranged along the sides of the body, one pair of long slender antennae extending from the head, and an equally long pair of appendages extending from the end of the body, which gives them the appearance of a walking dust mop. The body itself is roughly 1 in. long and striped in browns and off-white colors. The legs are also banded. There are some species of house cenpedes, in the genus Scugera, in Central and South America that are a disncve purplish blue color. House cenpedes apparently originated in Mexico but have now spread throughout the United States. They occur outdoors and indoors, parcularly in damp areas. In homes they may be found in damp cellars and closets or in bathrooms. House Cenpedes are very fast and can be seen House Cenpedes INFORMATION No. 016 darng across floors and walls. They will occasionally stop and remain moonless before darng away, oﬅen directly toward people observing them, presumably seeking shelter beneath them. House cenpedes seek shadows as hiding places Cenpedes have no interest in bing humans, and will only do so when physically threatened. These cenpedes are solitary predators, feeding on insects and spiders, parcularly silverfish. The presence of House Cenpedes generally indicates the presence of large numbers of insects. They are effecve predators and should be leﬅ alone. Eliminang their prey, most parcularly silverfish, can eliminate these cenpedes, which is easier said than done. In general, House Cenpedes are considered beneficial creatures because they are predators of several pest species. Despite their size and speed, House Cenpedes have small weak jaws that can only penetrate human skin with great difficulty. On the occasion that they do manage to bite the bite can result in some pain and swelling, but is never any worse than a bee sng. Bohart Museum of Entomology, Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 phone: (530) 752-0493; Internet: [email protected] House cenpedes, genus Scugera. Photo courtesy of Larry Allen.

INFORMATION 16 House centipedes print.pdf · manage to bite the bite can result in some pain and swelling, but is never any worse than a bee sting. ohart Museum of Entomology, Department

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Page 1: INFORMATION 16 House centipedes print.pdf · manage to bite the bite can result in some pain and swelling, but is never any worse than a bee sting. ohart Museum of Entomology, Department

House centipedes are odd-looking creatures, with a short, somewhat worm-like body, round head and many long slender appendages. They have 15 pairs of legs arranged along the sides of the body, one pair of long slender antennae extending from the head, and an equally long pair of appendages extending from the end

of the body, which gives them the appearance of a walking dust mop. The body itself is roughly 1 in. long and striped in browns and off-white colors. The legs are also banded. There are some species of house centipedes, in the genus Scutigera, in Central and South America that are a distinctive purplish blue color.

House centipedes apparently originated in Mexico but have now spread throughout the United States. They occur outdoors and indoors, particularly in damp areas. In homes they may be found in damp cellars and closets or in bathrooms.

House Centipedes are very fast and can be seen

House Centipedes

INFORMATION No. 016

darting across floors and walls. They will occasionally stop and remain motionless before darting away, often directly toward people observing them, presumably seeking shelter beneath them. House centipedes seek shadows as hiding places Centipedes have no interest in biting humans, and will only do so when physically threatened. These centipedes are solitary predators, feeding on insects and spiders, particularly silverfish.

The presence of House Centipedes generally indicates the presence of large numbers of insects. They are effective predators and should be left alone. Eliminating their prey, most particularly silverfish, can eliminate these centipedes, which is easier said than done. In general, House Centipedes are considered beneficial creatures because they are predators of several pest species.

Despite their size and speed, House Centipedes have small weak jaws that can only penetrate human skin with great difficulty. On the occasion that they do manage to bite the bite can result in some pain and swelling, but is never any worse than a bee sting.

Bohart Museum of Entomology, Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 phone: (530) 752-0493; Internet: [email protected]

House centipedes, genus Scutigera. Photo courtesy of Larry Allen.