But the common house centipede, scientifically known as Scutigera coleoptrata, is not dangerous to humans or pets. Do House Centipedes Bite? Now, just because the house centipede isn’t dangerous to humans, that doesn’t mean that you should pick them up or try to interact with them!
Does Scutigera coleoptrata bite hurt?
If you are bitten by Scutigera coleoptrata, you aren't likely to suffer much pain. Do take care to clean the wound to prevent a secondary infection. How Are House Centipedes Classified?
Is Scutigera coleoptrata an insectivore?
Scutigera coleoptrata. Originating in the Mediterranean region, the species has spread to other parts of the world, where it can live in human homes. It is an insectivore; it kills and eats other arthropods, such as insects and arachnids.
Is coleoptrata dangerous to humans?
Unlike its shorter-legged but larger tropical cousins, S. coleoptrata can live its entire life inside a building, usually the ground levels of homes. Though startling to many in appearance and speed, they are not routinely dangerous to humans.
What are the characteristics of S coleoptrata?
S. coleoptrata has developed automimicry in that its tail-like hind legs present the appearance of antennae. When the centipede is at rest, it is not easy to tell its cranial end from its caudal end. Unlike most other centipedes, house centipedes and their close relatives have well-developed faceted eyes .
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What happens when a house centipede bites you?
Their bites may be comparable to bee stings in terms of pain. Larger centipedes may deliver more venom, causing intense pain. Pain, redness, and swelling begin immediately upon being bitten. These symptoms may last anywhere from several hours to several days.
Are house centipedes harmful to humans?
House centipedes are typically thought of as nuisance pests, they don't cause harm to property and they pose no significant health risks to people. However, it is important to know that, while a centipede bite rarely happens, they are strong enough to bite a person and the bite can be quite painful.
Does a house centipede bite?
Unless provoked to defend themselves, house centipedes rarely bite people or pets and mostly prefer trying to escape threatening situations. Also, although house centipede venom is not as toxic as some other centipede species and their bites rarely cause any serious effects.
Why do house centipedes run at you?
Centipedes are most active when temperatures get above 50°F. During the day, they will hide in damp, dark areas. At night, they will come out to hunt for food. If they are indoors, they might run toward you or up a wall when you enter a room and turn on the light, but don't worry!
Do centipedes mean your house is dirty?
The short answer is no, house centipedes are not pests. House centipedes do frighten some homeowners, which is understandable. They are extremely fast bugs that only come out at night, in theory, they sound very bad. However, the house centipede is the opposite of pests.
Will house centipedes crawl in your bed?
These creepy crawlers love any areas that are warm and damp, which is why some people may run into them in their basement. However, they're beginning to make an arrival in people's apartments, and even their beds! As appalling as that may be, these little pests are fans of getting into bed with you.
Does centipede enter ear?
Arthropods may become lodged inside the ear and cause considerable emotional and physical trauma. Cases of centipedes being lodged in the external auditory canal have rarely been reported. In this article, we present the case of woman who had a centipede lodged inside her right external auditory canal.
Does killing a centipede attract more?
Centipedes included. Most carnivorous insects don't mind eating dead insects, some even consume their own dead species. After you have killed a centipede, make sure you properly dispose of it so the dead body won't attract others.
What do house centipede bites look like?
The bite looks like two red marks on the skin, which form a V-shape due to the positioning of the forcipules of the centipede. People rarely report any serious symptoms from a centipede bite. Some possible effects of a centipede bite include: localized pain.
Can centipedes jump?
. They use the two legs right near its head, which has been modified to carry venom, and their other legs to scoop up the bug. This is called a “lassoing” technique where they jump on their prey and wrap them up with the rest of their legs. Centipedes can travel 1.3 feet per second.
Do centipedes like humans?
Turns out, centipedes are quite murderous little creatures, spending most of their day hunting for and eating their prey. Thankfully, house centipedes are frankly too afraid of humans and do not actively seek them out as any sort of prey.
How fast can a house centipede go?
about 16 inches a secondThe house centipede's legs get progressively longer toward the rear, which creates its characteristic outline and keeps them from getting tangled when they are running fast. And they can run fast -- about 16 inches a second, which is pound for pound about the same as a human running 42 mph.
How does Scutigera coleoptrata reproduce?
Reproduction. Scutigera coleoptrata is stimulated by pheromones and sound signals. During courtship, males circle and tap other centipedes looking for a receptive female. Once a mate is found, the male spins a silk pad in which he places his sperm. The female then takes the sperm pouch and fertilizes her eggs.
What do Scutigera coleoptrata eat?
Food Habits. Scutigera coleoptrata is carnivorous, eating worms, snails, cockroaches, silverfish, fly larvae, and other arthropods. It senses its prey using its antennae which have scent and touch receptors on them.
What are centipedes made of?
House centipedes are brown or black in color. Like all arthropods, S. coleoptrata has an exoskeleton made of chitin and sclerotin. Its dorsal-ventrally flattened body is divided into fifteen segments with one pair of legs per segment. The first pair of legs is modified into fangs used for capturing prey and as protection. There are three dorsal longitudinal stripes, and the legs are banded. They have very well developed antennae and compound eyes. Most range from one to six cm in length and are very quick runners in comparison with other centipedes. ( Arnett Jr., Ph.D., 1985; Barnes, 2003; Drees and Jackman, 1998; Grzimek, 1972; O'Toole, 1986)
Why do house centipedes burrow?
coleoptrata makes better use of its eyes than most other centipedes. House centipedes migrate or burrow in response to changing environmental conditions such as extreme cold or drought. ( Drees and Jackman, 1998; O'Toole, 1986) Key Behaviors.
How many legs does a coleoptrata have?
Immature S. coleoptrata hatch from the egg appearing very similar to the adults, although they have only four pairs of legs. As they develop they pass through five larval instars, with each molt gaining more leg pairs. After their fifth molt, they have all fourteen pairs of legs and are mature.
What is the region of the Earth that is between 23.5 degrees and 60 degrees?
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle). terrestrial. Living on the ground. tropical savanna and grassland.
What is a wetland?
living in residential areas on the outskirts of large cities or towns. a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation.
How big is a Scutigera coleoptrata?
The body of an adult Scutigera coleoptrata is typically 25 to 35 mm (0.98 to 1.38 in) in length, although larger specimens are sometimes encountered. Up to 15 pairs of long legs are attached to the rigid body. Together with the antennae they give the centipede an appearance of being 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in) in length. The delicate legs enable it to reach surprising speeds of up to 0.4 meters per second (1.3 ft/s) running across floors, up walls and along ceilings. Its body is yellowish-grey and has three dark dorsal stripes running down its length; the legs also have dark stripes. S. coleoptrata has developed automimicry in that its tail-like hind legs present the appearance of antennae. When the centipede is at rest, it is not easy to tell its cranial end from its caudal end.
What is a Scutigera?
coleoptrata. Binomial name. Scutigera coleoptrata. ( Linnaeus, 1758) Scutigera coleoptrata is a small, typically yellowish-grey centipede with up to 15 pairs of long legs. Originating in the Mediterranean region, the species has spread to other parts of the world, where it can live in human homes, ...
How many pairs of legs do centipedes have?
Young centipedes have four pairs of legs when they are hatched. They gain a new pair with the first molting, and two pairs with each of their five subsequent moltings. Adults with 15 pairs of legs retain that number through three more molting stages (sequence 4-5-7-9-11-13-15-15-15-15 pairs).
What do centipedes eat?
The antennae are approximately 2 cm long. House centipedes feed on spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods. They administer venom through forcipules. These are not part of their mandibles, so strictly speaking they sting rather than bite.
What is the feeding pattern of S. coleoptrata?
In a feeding study, S. coleoptrata showed the ability to distinguish between possible prey, avoiding dangerous insects. They also adapted their feeding pattern to the type of hazard the prey might pose to them. For wasps, they retreat after applying the venom to give it time to take effect.
Where is S. coleoptrata native to?
Distribution. S. coleoptrata is indigenous to the Mediterranean region , but it has spread through much of Europe, Asia, North America and South America. It is thought to have first been introduced to the Americas in Mexico and Guatemala and now it reaches north into Canada and south to Argentina.
How do squid use their antennae?
Their antennae are sensitive to both smells and tactile information. They use both their mandibles and their legs for holding prey. This way they can deal with several small insects at the same time. To capture prey they either jump onto it or use their legs in a technique described as "lassoing".
What does it mean when you see centipedes in your house?
If you have noticed house centipedes in your home, it means there is a way for other insects to get inside your home and it means there are other insects that the centipede wants to eat inside your home.
Why are centipedes in my house?
The reason house centipedes are in your home is that they’re looking for food, which happens to be other insects you don’t want inside your home. While a centipede running across the floor at night can be shocking to see, they are actually beneficial to have in your home if you have other pests.
Why don't house centipedes bite?
House centipedes typically do not try to bite humans because they don’t see humans as a food source. Instead, they’ll only bite if they are afraid. Most bites occur because the person was handling the centipede. As long as you don’t touch it, the centipede is not likely to attack you or try to bite you. They’ll simply run away and look ...
What happens when a centipede bites you?
When a house centipede bites someone, they may experience localized pain and redness. The bite is similar to a sting from a bee, though many people report it is not as painful as a bee sting. Both the pain and the redness will disappear with time.
How long do centipedes live?
These centipedes can live a long time compared to most insects, with some living as long as 5 to 6 years.
What do centipedes eat?
They feed on many different insects, like bed bugs, roaches, silverfish, and wasps. If you see the centipedes in your home, you also have one or more of these types of insects in your home, and the centipede takes up residence in your home to have a plentiful source of food.
What to do if you get bit by a centipede?
Anyone who is bitten by a centipede should clean the area thoroughly and watch to make sure there are no further issues due to allergies or an infection. If allergy symptoms are noticed or the bite becomes infected, the person should seek medical attention immediately.
How many legs does a centipede have?
The first thing you notice is that the house centipede has a lot of legs. The very name “ centipede ” hints at that since “centi-” means “hundred.” Although it looks like it has a hundred legs, the fact is that the house centipede has 15 pairs of legs. It also has two very long antenna on its head and two long appendages on it’s rear-end. Most house centipedes are yellowish-gray and have stripes down the length of their body and across their legs, too.
What do centipedes use their legs for?
They seek out their prey and either use those legs to jump on the intended prey or wrap them around it in a technique that experts have come to call “lassoing.”. Some observers have even noticed house centipedes using their legs to beat prey into submission.
Why do centipedes have stripes?
It also has two very long antenna on its head and two long appendages on it’s rear-end. Most house centipedes are yellowish-gray and have stripes down the length of their body and across their legs, too. There are several reasons for all of those legs. First, it helps make house centipedes very fast. Since they are both predators and prey, this ...
How sensitive are house centipedes?
House centipede antenna are so sensitive they can pick up smells as well as vibrations and other tactile sensations. It’s like combining your fingers with a nose. They are also very smart hunters. House centipedes are more than willing to go after prey that could actually be dangerous to them, such as wasps.
Where do centipedes live?
It is also entirely possible for your average house centipede to live its entire life on the bottom floor of a building, eating insects and living its life undisturbed.
Can a house centipede bite cause allergic reactions?
People who are especially sensitive to bee stings and other insect bites and stings may need to see a doctor to make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction to the house centipede bite, but most people should feel no effects at all.
How fast can a squid travel?
They can travel 1.3 feet-per-second, which means they can usually get away from predators and easily catch up to their intended meal. Second, those appendages both fore and aft mean it’s hard to tell which end is the front, which can actually deter predators.
How long do house centipedes live?
Female house centipedes can live as long as 3 years and produce between 35 and 150 eggs during their lifetimes. The first instar larvae have only four pairs of legs. Larvae progress through 6 instars, gaining legs with each molt. Although it has its full complement of 15 pairs of legs, the immature house centipede will then molt 4 more times ...
Why do house centipedes have athleticism?
This athleticism isn't meant to scare you, though, the house centipede is simply well-equipped to pursue and catch prey. Just as their speed helps them capture prey, it also enables the centipede to escape predators. If a predator does manage to grab a leg, the house centipede can shed the limb and flee.
How fast can a centipede run?
Interesting Behaviors of House Centipedes. The centipede makes good use of its long legs. It can run at alarming speeds –the equivalent of over 40 mph in human terms. It stops and starts quickly, which can make even the most diehard arthropod enthusiast squeal with fright.
What color are house centipedes?
The last pair of legs on a female house centipede is elongated and may be twice as long as the body. The house centipede is light yellow-brown in color, with three dark longitudinal stripes down its body. Its legs are marked with alternating bands of light and dark. House centipedes also have large compound eyes, which is unusual for centipedes.
What do centipedes eat?
Within your home, they provide efficient (and free) pest control services for you, as they feed on silverfish, firebrats, cockroaches, carpet beetles, and other household pests.
Where do centipedes live?
Whether it lives outdoors or in, the house centipede prefers cool, damp, and dark locations. In a natural habitat, it can be found hiding under leaf litter or hidden in shady crevices in rocks or tree bark. In human dwellings, house centipedes often inhabit basements and bathrooms.
Do house centipedes have venom?
House centipedes also have large compound eyes, which is unusual for centipedes. Although the house centipede does possess venom, it rarely bites anything larger than itself. If you are bitten by Scutigera coleoptrata, you aren't likely to suffer much pain.
How Dangerous are Centipedes?
Centipedes enter homes in fall to escape the cold and hunt for food. They can complete their entire life cycle indoors, feeding on insects while shielded from the elements. Although the pests are generally not harmful, issues can arise when centipedes live close to people.
Are Centipedes Dangerous to Humans?
Biting centipedes use venom inject their prey with toxins. These chemicals harm small insects but pose no serious threat to humans. The worst side effects from centipede bites are usually mild pain and swelling.
Are Centipedes Dangerous to Dogs?
Besides a little discomfort, most dogs are unaffected by eating centipedes or receiving a bite. The two animals often come into conflict outdoors when dogs sniff around thick brush or clutter. Pests like ticks and fleas pose a much greater threat to dogs.
Are Centipedes Dangerous to Cats?
When cats see centipedes dashing about, they may give chase. These clashes take place in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Centipede bites do not cause any known health issues for cats.
Responding to Infestations
Centipedes are most active at night because they shy away from light and are nocturnal hunters. Their presence often points to further pest problems, as they feed on ants, spiders, and crickets. While centipedes are not dangerous, their fast movements and alarming appearance make many people uneasy.
How Aggressive Are Common Centipede Species?
The most common centipede found in the eastern part of the United States is the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata ), which is the only species of centipede known to reproduce in homes.
Identifying a Centipede Bite
Centipedes have a uniquely structured first pair of legs, which are used as claws to grasp, penetrate, and inject venom into their prey. Generally, centipede bites appear to have two puncture wounds and look similar to a spider bite.
How do centipedes pierce their prey?
As the forcipules pierce the prey’s skin, venom glands at the forcipule base squeeze out a cocktail of toxins that flow into the hapless victim through holes in the forcipule. These toxins act fast on the centipede’s usual prey.
What happens if a centipede bites you?
If it manages to break your skin, you may feel a burning sensation and some itching. A pinch from a tiger centipede’s forcipules will feel more like a bee sting, so you can expect some swelling and redness.
How much venom does a tiger centipede produce?
The large and aggressive tiger centipede ( Scolopendra polymorpha ), found in the North American southwest and noted for its painful bite, produces a bit over one microliter of venom. That’s one-millionth of a liter or 1/4982 of a teaspoon.
How long have centipedes been around?
The centipede’s unique venomous front legs evolved over 430 million years ago. Centipedes are the only animals with forcipules, which contain venom glands. Their front legs form sharp pincers just behind their head, and they use it to inject venom and hold their captured prey.
What is a house centipede?
The house centipede ( Scutigera coleoptrata) is an early venom adopter, even before scorpions and spiders. And of all the centipedes, the house centipede and its relatives most closely resemble the earliest centipedes. (The other centipede families are a mere 340 to 370 million years old).
What animals are poisonous?
Poisonous animals like the Fugu puffer sicken or kill predators that eat them, while venomous animals like rattlesnakes or bees inject venom into a target . Some introduce their toxins through a bite, others use specialized stingers, and centipedes use very sharp front legs.
How long does it take for a centipede to heal?
The wound area may itch and burn, and the skin around it may be tender, but this discomfort should go away within 24 to 48 hours.
Overview
Interaction with humans
Unlike its shorter-legged but larger tropical cousins, S. coleoptrata can live its entire life inside a building, usually the ground levels of homes. House centipedes commonly startle their unwitting housemates with their speed and appearance, but are not routinely dangerous to humans. They are not aggressive and usually flee when disturbed or revealed from cover. Sting attempts are therefore rare unless the centipede is cornered or aggressively handled. Its small forcipules hav…
Etymology
In 1758, Carl Linnaeus described the species in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae, giving the name Scolopendra coleoptrata, writing that it has a "coleopterated thorax" (similar to a coleopter). In 1801, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck separated scutigera from scolopendra, calling this species Scutigera coleoptrata. The word scutigera comes from "to bear" (gerere) and "shield" (scutum), because of the shape of the plates in the back of the chilopod.
Morphology
The body of an adult Scutigera coleoptrata is typically 25 to 35 mm (0.98 to 1.38 in) in length, although larger specimens are sometimes encountered. Up to 15 pairs of long legs are attached to the rigid body. Together with the antennae they give the centipede an appearance of being 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in) in length. The delicate legs enable it to reach surprising speeds of up to 0.4 meters per second (1.3 ft/s) running across floors, up walls and along ceilings. Its body is yellow…
Reproduction and development
House centipedes lay their eggs in spring. In a laboratory observation of 24 house centipedes, an average of 63 and a maximum of 151 eggs were laid. As with many other arthropods, the larvae look like miniature versions of the adult, albeit with fewer legs. Young centipedes have four pairs of legs when they are hatched. They gain a new pair with the first molting, and two pairs with each of their five subsequent moltings. Adults with 15 pairs of legs retain that number through three …
Behavior and ecology
House centipedes feed on spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods. They administer venom through forcipules. These are not part of their mandibles, so strictly speaking they sting rather than bite. They are mostly nocturnal hunters. Despite their developed eyes, they seem to rely mostly on their antennae when hunting. Their antennae are sensitive to b…
Habitat
Outdoors, house centipedes prefer to live in cool, damp places. Centipede respiratory systems do not provide any mechanism for shutting the spiracles, and that is why they need an environment that protects them from dehydration and excessive cold. Most live outside, primarily under large rocks, piles of wood or leaves, in barkdust and especially in compost piles. They often emerge from hiding during the watering of gardens or flowerbeds. These centipedes can be found in alm…
Distribution
S. coleoptrata is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, but it has spread through much of Europe, Asia, North America and South America. It is thought to have first been introduced to the Americas in Mexico and Guatemala and now it reaches north into Canada and south to Argentina.
In the United States, it spread north from the southern states, reaching Pennsylvania in 1849, New York in 1885, and Massachusetts and Connecticut in about 1890. In 2009, its distribution extende…