Scolopendromorpha
Guides
Cryptopidae
Bark Centipedes
Cryptopidae is a family of scolopendromorph centipedes characterized by complete absence of eyes (lacking ocelli) and possessing 21 pairs of legs as adults. The family is dominated by the genus Cryptops, which comprises over 150 species worldwide. Members are commonly known as bark centipedes and occur across diverse geographic regions, with some species showing strong synanthropic tendencies and human-mediated dispersal.
Scolopendra
Giant Centipedes
Scolopendra is a genus of large tropical centipedes in the family Scolopendridae, containing some of the largest living centipedes. The genus was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and remains one of the most species-rich genera in the order Scolopendromorpha. Members are characterized by their substantial size, with the largest species exceeding 30 cm in length, and their potent venom delivered through modified forcipules. The genus exhibits considerable variation in coloration and size across its constituent species.
Scolopendra viridis
Florida Blue Centipede, Green Centipede
Scolopendra viridis is a medium-sized centipede in the family Scolopendridae, commonly known as the Florida Blue Centipede. It is one of 21 native North American species in the order Scolopendromorpha. The species has been documented as prey for the pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius), indicating its role in food webs of the southeastern United States.
Scolopocryptops gracilis
Western Fire Centipede
Scolopocryptops gracilis is a centipede species in the family Scolopocryptopidae, commonly known as the Western Fire Centipede. It occurs in western North America from Mexico through the United States. The species has been documented in at least 1,200 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively frequently encountered in its range. It belongs to an order of large, predatory centipedes but is distinguished from the more widely known Scolopendridae by family-level characteristics.
Scolopocryptops sexspinosus
Eastern Red Centipede
Scolopocryptops sexspinosus, the eastern red centipede, is a large, venomous scolopendromorph centipede native to eastern North America. Adults reach approximately 69 mm in length and are typically orange to reddish-orange in coloration, though southeastern populations may appear browner. The species is active year-round and is notable for its rapid movement and ability to inflict painful bites. It is the only scolopendromorph centipede definitively documented in Canada.
Theatops
Theatops is a genus of centipedes in the family Cryptopidae, order Scolopendromorpha. Species in this genus are found in North America, southern Europe, and Asia. The genus includes Theatops posticus, a common eastern Nearctic species with a disjunct western population, and Theatops chuanensis, the first Asian record of the family. Theatops species possess distinctive morphological features including modified ultimate legs, with some species exhibiting ventral spurs on the prefemora and femora.