House centipedes, scientifically known as Scutigera coleoptrata, are arthropods commonly found in homes across the world. These creatures are readily identified by their yellowish-grey bodies marked with three dark stripes, along with their fifteen pairs of remarkably long, slender legs. While their bodies typically measure between 25 to 35 millimeters, their extended legs and antennae can create an appearance of being much larger, often reaching 75 to 100 millimeters in length. Originating from the Mediterranean region, house centipedes have adapted to human dwellings globally, making them a frequent, albeit often startling, sight for many homeowners.
Reproduction and Egg Laying
The reproductive cycle of house centipedes involves a courtship display. A male and female centipede circle each other, initiating contact with their antennae. The male then deposits a packet of sperm, known as a spermatophore, onto the ground. The female subsequently picks up this sperm packet to fertilize her eggs.
Female house centipedes lay their eggs during the spring and summer months. The number of eggs laid can vary, with laboratory observations showing an average of 63 eggs and a maximum of 151 eggs. Females are capable of laying between 35 to 150 eggs per breeding cycle, and they can continue to reproduce year after year. These eggs are laid in damp, secluded locations, often in the soil, and are sometimes covered with a sticky substance for protection. Some female centipedes tend to their eggs and hatchlings, protecting them and grooming them to prevent fungal growth.
From Egg to Adult
House centipedes undergo a developmental process that includes egg, nymph (larval), and adult stages. When they hatch, young centipedes, often referred to as nymphs, resemble miniature versions of adults but possess fewer legs. Initially, these hatchlings emerge with only four pairs of legs.
As they grow, house centipedes molt, shedding their exoskeletons to accommodate their increasing size. With each molt, they gain additional pairs of legs. This process follows a sequence where leg pairs increase from 4 to 5, then 7, 9, 11, 13, until they reach their full 15 pairs of legs. Reaching sexual maturity can take a considerable amount of time, upwards of three years. House centipedes are long-lived arthropods, with a lifespan ranging from three to seven years.
House Centipede Habits and Habitat
House centipedes are nocturnal predators. Their diet primarily consists of household pests, including spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, bed bugs, and termites. They are agile and fast, using their many legs to quickly pursue and capture their prey. House centipedes also employ modified legs, called forcipules, to inject venom into their prey to immobilize them.
These centipedes prefer environments that are cool, damp, and dark. Within homes, they are frequently found in basements, cellars, bathrooms, and crawl spaces, as well as under sinks or behind baseboards. While their appearance and rapid movements can be unsettling, house centipedes are not aggressive towards humans and flee when disturbed. Bites are rare and, if they occur, result in only mild and temporary irritation.