Scolopendra

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Myriapoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha
Family: Scolopendridae
Genus: Scolopendra

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scolopendra: /ˌskoʊ.ləˈpɛn.drə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Giant Redhead Centipede (Scolopendridae, Scolopendra heros) (30247704795) by Insects Unlocked
. Used under a CC0 license.

Scolopendra viridis maya by Ma. Eugenia Mendiola González. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Scolopendra viridis by Kai Squires. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Scolopendra viridis viridis by Alina Martin. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Conradi Gesneri medici Tigurini Historiae animalium liber IV (15382563249) by Belon, Pierre; Cambier, Andreas; Gessner, Conrad; Rondelet, Guillaume. Used under a Public domain license.

Scolopendra collage by Edward-Woodrow. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Scolopendra is a diverse genus of large centipedes known for their predatory habits and potent venom, particularly in certain species. They inhabit tropical and temperate regions worldwide and play important ecological roles as predators.

Physical Characteristics

Scolopendra species are large centipedes, with sizes varying considerably. The largest can exceed 30 cm (12 in). They have multiple segments, each with a pair of legs, and modified legs (forcipules) on the first body segment that they use to inject venom.

Identification Tips

The presence of modified legs on the first body segment used for injecting venom, along with their considerable size and varied coloration can help identify Scolopendra species.

Habitat

Scolopendra species inhabit tropical and warmer temperate regions, often found in leaf litter, under rocks, or in other organic substrates.

Distribution

Primarily in tropical and warmer temperate areas worldwide. In the southeastern US, they are found along the Atlantic seaboard north to southern North Carolina and the Gulf Coast, extending to South Dakota and southeastern Montana, and west to eastern Oregon and the Rockies.

Diet

Active predators primarily feeding on insects and other invertebrates, with larger specimens also known to prey on frogs, reptiles, birds, and small mammals.

Ecosystem Role

As predators, Scolopendra species help to control insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance within their habitats.

Health Concerns

Bites can cause intense and long-lasting pain and swelling. Certain species possess venom that can be medically significant, particularly in large species from the Asian/Pacific regions, which have caused fatalities in rare cases.

Evolution

The genus Scolopendra was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It has undergone taxonomic revisions since then, with only two of the original species remaining.

Misconceptions

While many people fear centipedes due to their bite, most species have venom that is not medically significant, and fatalities are extremely rare.