House Centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata, belonging to the class Chilopoda, is characterized by its elongated, dorsoventrally flattened body measuring 25–35 mm, supported by 15 pairs of extraordinarily long, slender legs, with the posterior pair being especially elongated, often mistaken for antennae. Its integument is yellowish-grey with three distinct dark, longitudinal dorsal stripes. Females demonstrate an impressive longevity, living up to 3–7 years, a significant duration for an arthropod, and deposit 35–100 eggs singly in moist soil or sheltered wall voids during the spring and summer. Juveniles, which emerge with 4–6 pairs of legs, undergo 5–6 moults, progressively adding pairs of legs and body segments until reaching the adult complement, a process known as anamorphosis. Optimal environmental conditions for development and survival include high humidity (75–98% RH) and moderate temperatures (10–30°C), making them resilient in various indoor microclimates.

This centipede is a highly effective, solitary, and strictly nocturnal predator, exhibiting rapid, darting movements that allow it to actively hunt and subdue a wide range of arthropod prey including cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, termites, and even other house centipedes. Its modified first pair of legs, termed forcipules, are equipped with venom glands, delivering a neurotoxic venom to immobilize prey. Although typically non-aggressive towards humans, a defensive bite, while rare, can occur if directly handled or threatened, causing a localized, temporary sting comparable to a bee sting, though systemic reactions are virtually unheard of. Their presence within a structure is a strong indicator of an existing pest infestation, as they are drawn to areas with abundant prey species, reflecting a functional ecological role in natural pest control within human dwellings.