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Project Noah Nature School
Scolopendra subspinipes
Distressed centipede on living room rug, and later
Suburban area on tropical upland plateau
Spotted belly up, apparently dead. However it showed some signs of life when disturbed. It was probably inside a large cardboard box which was brought inside the previous day, but may have found its way inside on its own. It was removed to the front walk where it was assisted in completing its dying process. The second image is a close-up of the mandibles. The last two images were recorded outside, in a dustpan, and on concrete. This introduced species can inflict a very painful sting, something our young granddaughter might have received had she discovered it first.
Spotted on Dec 6, 2012
Submitted on Dec 7, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks for the comment mauna; I have added this spotting to your mission. This species gets big, but I'm not sure if they are a big issue in Hawaii. They are alien, but not invasive, and while common, are not under every rock and in every crannie. In ten years at my current address, I've found one of these centipedes inside my dwelling exactly five times. They aren't aggressive toward humans, but will react if they feel threatened.
Wow, interesting story. I'm glad your granddaughter didn't get stung! I've heard that centipedes are a big issue in Hawaii.
I have the same request for this Giant centipede as I did for the East African land snail you spotted:
http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1763... Please consider adding it to this mission. :)