Image of House Centipede

Description:

Photographed by Harvard University, Dept. of Environmental Health and Safety entomologist/environmental biologist, Dr. Gary Alpert, this 2006 image depicted a anterosuperior view of a common house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata. See PHIL 9823, and 9824 for two additional views of this animal. Each segment of a centipede’s body possesses a single pair of legs. Emanating from the head is a pair of sensorial antennae, and its three pairs of mouthparts, consisting of paired mandibulae with teeth, maxillae, and palps. Emanating from just behind its head, and visible in this image, is this arthropod’s first pair of legs which has evolved into a pair of fangs. Although a rare occurrence, when it does bite its victims, the centipede ejects its venom, which is not generally toxic, although it may cause extreme pain to humans.
Created: 2006