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Scutigera coleoptrata
The body of an adult Scutigera coleoptrata is 25 to 35 mm in length. Up to 15 pairs of long legs are attached to the rigid body. Together with the antennae they give the centipede an appearance of being 75 to 100 mm in length. The delicate legs enable it to reach surprising speeds of up to 0.4 meters per second running across floors, up walls and along ceilings. Its body is yellowish-grey and has three dark dorsal stripes running down its length; the legs also have dark stripes. S. coleoptrata has developed automimicry in that its tail-like hind legs present the appearance of antennae. When the centipede is at rest, it is not easy to tell its front from its back. Unlike most other centipedes, house centipedes and their close relatives have well-developed faceted eyes.
On the balcony of our Posada in Colonia Tovar, Aragua, Venezuela. Elevation 1800m. Mountain area. Colonia Tovar was cold at night and when the sun was out, quite hot.
Spotted on Feb 11, 2018
Submitted on Feb 18, 2018
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