Centipedes

"If you enjoy frightening others, you will be reborn as a centipede".
- 19th Century Tibetan Buddhist Poet

introduction

Please note: Although centipedes are beneficial to the garden, cultivating a centipede-friendly habitat is under no circumstances more important than your health. If you are allergic to the venom of centipedes or have friends and family who are who frequently visit your yard, take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.

The name centipede is derived from the Neo-Latin words for hundred (centi-) and foot (-pedis). They have many body segments, with one pair of legs each. All centipede species are venomous, able to deliver stings through their pincer-like appendages. Funnily enough, despite their given name, no species of centipede actually has exactly 100 legs. The number of pairs of legs is always an odd number, and ranges from 15 to 191 Centipedes have rounded or flattened heads which hold a pair of antennae as well as a pair of elongated mandibles. The first pair of their limbs stretch forward from the body over the mouth, and at their tips are sharp claws that include venom glands, helping centipedes kill or paralyze their prey. There are centipedes that are as small as a few millimeters, and some as large as 12 inches long.

Many species of centipede lack eyes, though some have compound eyes. However, these eyes are only capable of differentiating light and dark, and provide no true vision. Instead, centipedes mainly use their antennae to seek out prey. At the back of their bodies, they have a pair of 'ultimate legs', which are not used for walking. They are typically longer than the rest of the legs, and seem to be used as sensory organs, in mating rituals, in defensive postures, or to assist in climbing.

Centipede forcipules have tips that deliver venom and grip prey.

Their ultimate (hind) legs are used for sensing and mating or defensive displays.

There are no species of centipedes that have 100 legs.

Centipede Behavior

Centipedes are predominately generalist carnivores, which means that they hunt for a variety of prey items that can be overpowered. They are found in terrestrial habitats, from deserts to tropical forested regions. They are typically found nesting in moist microhabitats due to their inability to hold water in their bodies, lacking the waxy cuticle that other insects and arachnids have. They typically avoid sunlight by staying under cover during the day, coming out at night to hunt for food.

Eggs are laid in spring and summertime, and hatch after 1 to 3 months' time.

Mother centipedes will care for their young for a few days before they disperse.

Nymph centipedes are much smaller than adults, and are typically white to light cream in color.

Centipedes are adapted to eat a wide range of prey. Typically, they will feed on earthworms, larvae, springtails, and other centipedes. When starved, they will eat plant material. They have many predators, including birds, mice, salamanders, beetles, snakes, and mongooses, and are an important prey species in their natural habitats. Even humans eat centipedes; they are often seen skewered and grilled or deep fried, sold by street vendors in China. Larger, farm-raised centipedes are even steeped in alcohol to create Centipede Vodka. When it comes time to procreate, male centipedes deposit a spermatophore containing genetic material which is picked up by a female, who will lay her eggs in spring or summer. Females provide ongoing parental care to their young, including grooming them to keep them free of fungi and bacteria. Centipedes can live for between 5 and 10 years, and go through successive molts (typically five), each time adding pairs of legs.

Venomous Potential
Larger centipedes are able to pierce the skin of mammals, including humans. The injuries they cause are not bites in the strict sense, as they are not carried out by the centipedes' mouthparts. They are more similar to a pair of stings, and cause a chevron-shaped wound due to their paired forcipules. The sting causes pain and swelling in the wound area, but rarely cause severe health complications in healthy adults. Immersion of the stings in warm water can help to reduce pain and swelling, and icing can also help to reduce swelling later in treatment. There is some evidence that shows that children and persons who are diabetic or allergic to bee stings may have more severe negative reactions to centipede venom. They are typically painful bites, and have the potential to cause chills, fever and weakness in these vulnerable populations. Larger centipedes can induce anaphylactic shock. Smaller centipedes are generally incapable of piercing human skin.

Centipede Species

Centipedes have a very diverse genetic pool, and are members of the class Chilopoda. Most of the centipedes that are encountered by humans are either House Centipedes (from the order Scutigerida or Scutigeromorpha) or Soil Centipedes (of the order Geophilomorpha). There are around 95 genera of centipedes, containing 2,800 species (though it is estimated that there are over 8,000 species worldwide). They differ in body segment composition, length and number of legs, preferred habitat, and behavior. They can be found in many different regions around the globe, and reside in a variety of habitats, often associated with moist, protected, and dark environments. The most commonly encountered species of centipedes in western North America are listed and described below:

Ethmostigmus rubripes
(Yellow-Legged Centipede)
Native to Asia and Oceania, this species can grow to be between 6 and 8 inches long.

Hemiscolopendra marginata
(Eastern Bark Centipede)
Native to the eastern United States and Mexico. To about an inch and a half long.

Lithobius forficatus
(Stone or Garden Centipede)
This common species reaches up to just over an inch long, and are found in Europe, North America, and Hawaii.

Scolopendra amazonica
(Amazonian Centipede)
To over a foot long, these large centipedes are so big they hunt snakes and mice.

Scolopendra gigantea
(Giant Grumpalumpagus)
This species reaches over a foot long, and are native to the Caribbean and South America.

Scolopendra heros
(Giant Sonoron Centipede)
Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico; to 8 inches long.

Scolopendra morsitans
(Red-Headed Centipede)
Up to over 5 inches long, with bright red heads and striated segments. Highly invasive and found on all continents.

Scolopendra polymorpha
(Common Desert Centipede)
Found in western North America and Hawaii, this species typically reaches between 4 and 7 inches long.

Scolopendra subspinipes
(Giant Centipede)
This species has a very wide geographic range, and can reach up to 8 inches long. Aggressive species that preys on any animal it can.

Scutigera coleoptrata
(House Centipede)
Native to the Mediterranean, they are found in homes or other structures, where they feed on pest species. They cannot easily bite humans.

Centipedes in the garden

Centipedes are categorized as beneficial arthropods to have around the garden. They help to control insect and other small invertebrate populations that many gardeners and horticulturalists consider pests. Centipedes will eat flies (and their offspring), beetles, spiders, worms, and even small animals like snakes or rodents. They play an important role in balancing garden ecosystems, and help to prevent the overpopulation of certain species that can affect the health of plants and biodiversity. Some species of centipedes live in soils and help to break down debris, which improves soil fertility. Overall, while centipedes may not be the most attractive garden-mates, they are not typically active during daylight hours when gardeners are harvesting, trimming, or cultivating. They are definitely beneficial insects, and should be preserved and protected in outdoor spaces. To bring more centipedes into the garden, follow these guidelines:

Offer Places to Hide
Centipedes generally appreciate moist, dark environments, and love hiding in places like under mulch, in compost bins, under rocks, or around the bases of logs and other natural litter. Make sure to leave the leaves and allow decaying wood to stick around; the centipedes will thank you.

Cut Out Pesticide Use
Pesticides hurt not just the pests targeted; they typically also affect the populations of beneficial insects as well, including centipedes. Encouraging predator species to enter the garden is the best way to control pest populations. Once there are high enough population numbers of these organisms, they will take care of your pest problem without you having to even ask.

Encourage Biodiversity
Install a variety of plants in the landscape (the more natives, the better). This will attract a variety of insects, which will provide the food source that will draw centipedes in and keep them working for you and your soil.

Keep Your Soil Healthy
Healthy soil is one of the most basic resources that gardeners can offer beneficials in home landscapes. Many soils in urban areas are dead, and do not contain any living ecosystems. Healthy soil can be built in as little as 2-3 years, and is the foundation of all biodiversity in the landscape. Keep soil well-drained and nutrient-rich to maintain its health. For more information on creating and maintaining a healthy soil biome, visit the Soil module.