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Lithobiomorpha
Centipede reproduction does not involve copulation. Males deposit a spermatophore for the female to take up. In one clade, this spermatophore is deposited in a web, and the male undertakes a courtship dance to encourage the female to engulf his sperm. In other cases, the males just leave them for the females to find. In temperate areas egg laying occurs in spring and summer. The Lithobiomorpha species lay their eggs singly in holes in the soil, the female fills the holes with soil and leaves them. The number of eggs laid ranges from about 10 to 50. Time of development of the embryo to hatching is highly variable and may take from one to a few months. Centipedes are relatively long-lived when compared to their insect cousins and can live for 5 or 6 years.
Woods.
Yet another species of centipede from our land!
Spotted on Feb 28, 2012
Submitted on Feb 28, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks Maria! I thought it was a millipede at first because it looked like it had two pairs of legs on its body segments. I nearly picked it up & I'm very glad I didn't as I suspect it would have given my a nip!
nice one, Karen!