Centipede Information
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Centipede (Chilopoda)
Description
Centipedes or "hundred-leggers," are elongated, flattened animals, bearing one pair of legs per body segment. The actual total number of legs in most species is closer to 30 than to 100. Adult centipedes are usually brownish and over 1 inch in length. The house centipede, a species that commonly invades buildings, has long legs that enables it to run rapidly. Unlike millipedes, centipedes never coil up when disturbed.
Garden centipedes (symphylids) may be confused with true centipedes but are white, less than 1/4 inch in length, and have 12 pairs of legs as adults. Symphylids live in damp soil where they sometimes attack underground portions of plants. They are associated with soils that are high in organic matter.
Habitat and Importance
Centipedes usually are found in damp, dark places, such as under stones, leaf mulch, or logs. Indoors, centipedes may occur in damp areas of basements, closets, or bathrooms, or anywhere in the home where insects occur. During the day they hide in dark cracks and crevices, coming out at night to search for insects to eat.
House centipedes are actually beneficial--they capture flies, cockroaches, and other small household pests. They never damage plants or household items.
When provoked, a few large kinds of centipedes can inflict a painful bite that may cause localized swelling, discoloration, and numbness.
Life Cycle
Adult centipedes over winter in secluded moist places. Eggs are usually placed in damp soil in the spring and summer. Some centipede species add segments and legs as they grow; others are born with a complete set. Centipedes require 2 to 3 years to mature, and have been known to live 6 years.
Control
Centipedes seldom need to be controlled unless they become a nuisance in the home. Centipedes are predators and generally play a beneficial role in the garden. Their activities should be encouraged in the yard. Reductions in the number of household centipedes occur when their food source--other household pests--is controlled. Airing out damp places may help. Outdoors, centipede control is aided by the removal of debris as recommended for millipedes.
COMPILED FROM
Moore, W. S., and C. S. Koehler. 1986. Millipedes and Centipedes. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Div. Agric. Nat. Res. Leaflet 7172.
REFERENCE
Shelley, R. M. 1999. Centipedes and millipedes with emphasis on North American fauna. Kansas School Naturalist. Vol. 45, No. 3. Emporia, KS: Emporia State University. 16 pp.
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